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By Sharad Rai
Once again, a film based on a political figure is under the spotlight as the sword of the censor board appears to hang over its release. This time, it’s a case of Censor vs Ajey. The film in question revolves around none other than the man famously known as the “Bulldozer” – Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is well-known for ordering bulldozers to demolish the dens of major criminals in his state.
Ajey Film Faces CBFC Delay Ahead of August Release
The film titled "Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi" is based on the life of Yogi Adityanath. The film’s producer has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court against the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), questioning the delay in granting a certificate for the movie. This delay has triggered speculation among audiences: What's going on? The film is slated for release on August 1, 2025, and preparations for its theatrical debut across India are underway.
The teaser for “Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi” has already been released, making it clear that the film is a biographical account of Yogi Adityanath. Born Ajay Singh Bisht, he hails from present-day Uttarakhand (formerly part of Uttar Pradesh). He became a monk before transitioning into politics. The CBFC’s delay in certifying the film has prompted producer Ritu Mengi to approach the High Court, urging the board to explain the holdup, especially since the film's scheduled release date is fast approaching. If the certificate isn't granted in time, it could cause significant financial losses for the producer.
The film is said to be based on the 2017 book “The Monk Who Became Chief Minister” by Shantanu Gupta. The screenplay is written by Dilip Bachchan Jha and Priyank Dubey, with Ravindra Gautam directing. Music is composed by Meet Bros, and cinematography is by Vishnu Rao. The film is produced under the banner of Samrat Cinematics.
The cast includes: Anant V Joshi (as Yogi Adityanath), Garima Vikrant, Paresh Rawal (as Yogi’s spiritual mentor), Rajesh Khattar, Dinesh Lal Yadav “Nirahua”, Pawan Malhotra, Sarwar Ahuja, Bhagwan Tiwari, among others.
Films on the lives of politicians always attract public curiosity. Viewers are keen to understand the journey and evolution of such leaders. In this case, the story follows Ajay, a quiet, introverted boy from a scenic village in Uttarakhand, who eventually renounces worldly life to become a monk at Gorakhnath Temple. He later enters politics, where he fiercely battles criminal syndicates and mafia groups, often bulldozing illegal structures linked to them.
These bold moves have brought both admiration and controversy. Given the political sensitivity of such themes, experts believe films like this require detailed scrutiny by the censor board. Naturally, this leads to a tug-of-war between filmmakers and the board—and this time is no exception.
Many biopics on political figures have faced similar challenges and garnered attention, including those on Mahatma Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, current PM Narendra Modi, Vinayak Savarkar, Subhash Chandra Bose, and Mulayam Singh Yadav. Yogi Adityanath now joins that list of cinematic discussions.
Actor Anant V Joshi plays the role of Yogi Adityanath, with Paresh Rawal portraying his spiritual guru. BJP MP and Bhojpuri film star Dinesh Lal Yadav “Nirahua” also plays a significant role. While the film is based on the 2017 book The Monk Who Became Chief Minister, many of Yogi’s most impactful and controversial political actions occurred after the book’s publication.
This has led some to speculate: is the delay with the censor board a genuine issue, or a calculated move to generate publicity for the film?
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