Salman Khan's ETT in controversy again !

JAIPUR: Actor Salman Khan's upcoming film 'Ek Tha Tiger' is in controversy once again. After the ban on its screening in Pakistan, the family of martyr and real-life spy Ravindra Kaushik has asked the film's producers and directors to show either the original screenplay or organize a screening of the film in Jaipur for Kaushik's family.

Vikram Vashishtha, Kaushik's nephew through his counsel Madhav Mitra sent a legal notice to Yash Raj Films, the film producers, Central Board of Film Certification, the Film & TV Producers Guild and Film Federation of India on Monday asking them to either show the original film script or organize a special screening before its release.

Talking to TOI Vikram said, "He (Ravindra Kaushik) was my maternal uncle who was with the Research Analysis Wing (RAW). Born on April 11, 1952 in Sriganganagar he also did his graduation from there. He displayed his talent at national level dramatic meet in Lucknow, which was also witnessed by some officials of the intelligence wing (RAW). He was contacted and offered job for the secret intelligence in Pakistan. Later he was sent to Pakistan for the purpose." He said that the promos of 'Ek Tha Tiger' suggested that the film is based on Ravindra Kaushik's life.

"Kaushik's family fought a long battle till 2002 when he died in a Multan (Pakistan) jail. Before making such a film on the martyr's life I think the makers should have researched well and contacted us," he added.

Madhav Mitra the counsel said, "Prima facie resemblance is on the account that the promos show that ISI (Pakistan agency) and RAW (Indian Agency) indulged in day-to-day war. The promos reveal that the agent named 'Tiger' worked in Pakistan and had an affair with a Pakistani girl. He fought for the country as well as for his love. Shashi Vashishtha, mother of my client Vikram is the Ravindra's only sister. Thus, the family has full right to either go through the certified screenplay or watch it prior to national/ international release," he added.

His life, his death

Ravindra Kaushik was a true Indian patriot though he lived in Pakistan and also pursued LLB there. He was then recruited in defence services in Pakistan. He fell in love with a local Pakistani girl and married her. He was in Pakistan Army from 1979 to 1983 and during this tenure he dispatched valuable information to RAW which was of great help to the Indian defence mechanism. In the 1985 he was awarded death sentence which was subsequently converted into life imprisonment. Kaushik remained in various jails from where he somehow sent letters which revealed the pathetic health condition and the trauma faced by him in Pakistani jails. He was awarded the title of 'Black Tiger' by RAW and also by the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi.