Starring <strong>Vikram, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Vinay Virmani, Tabu, Lara Dutta, Nasser, Rohini Hattangadi, Monica Dogra</strong> Directed by <strong>Bejoy Nambiar</strong> Rating: <strong>**** ?</strong>

Bejoy Nambiar’s much talked-about David was cleared by the Censor Board Of Film Certification(CBFC) late on Monday night with just two minor cuts in the episode featuring Vinay Virmani. It is learnt from reliable sources that the Examining Committee of the CBFC had ordered prominent cuts in the episode featuring Vinay Virmani which deals with the sensitive issue of religious fundamentalism. Rather than take the cuts Bejoy went to the Revising Committee of the CBFC to fight against the Examining Committee’s decision.

Singer Lucky Ali, actor Neil Nitin Mukesh and director Bijoy Nambiar have been under the scanner of certain sensitive communities ever since the song Ya Hussain was aired. The minority community has urged Bejoy to remove the song as they feel it doesn’t befit their definitions of propriety. The song was played to the accompaniment of a sequence showing a Moharram procession in the film. The fact that the singer Lucky Ali was also a part of the same community that objected to the song, added an even more anxious edge to the safety of the film as it approached release.

There is some disappointment in store for Neil Nitin Mukesh. Bejoy Nambiar’s Hindi-Tamil bi-lingual <em>David</em> which was to feature Neil in both the languages would now have the actor only in Hindi.

Balaji Motion Pictures in association with Bejoy Nambiar will produce a riotous comedy that has been interestingly titled <em>Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi</em>. Says Balaji Motion Pictures CEO Tanuj Garg, “We are delighted to partner a creative talent like Bejoy Nambiar on a film that we believe is clearly among the most hilarious and entertaining scripts we’ve read.” To be directed by National award winning ad-filmmaker Aman Sachdeva, the film introduces Siddharth Gupta opposite former Miss India Simran Kaur.

Veteran actress Sarika turned down a part in Bejoy Nambiar’s David . But she happily agreed to do an item song in the film. The song , a remix of the old classic Sufi <em>qawwalli</em> <em>Damadam mast kalander</em> has been shot in black-and-white. Nambiar who’s delighted at this unexpected turn of events says he never thought the veteran actress would be interested. “Not only was Sarika<em>ji</em> keen to do the song she even helped us with its choreography,” says the director happily.

Over the years, filmmakers have experimented with the black and white format on the big screen to bring in a change in viewing experience. The latest is that in Bejoy Nambiar’s upcoming yet untitled film, the director has recreated the black and white era in certain parts of the storyline that is a gangster film. The film has among others Neil Nitin Mukesh.

Veteran actor and writer Akaash Khurana’s son Akarsh Khurana would be playing a major role alongside Neil Nitin Mukesh in Bejoy Nambiar’s <em>David</em>. Akarsh, who is currently writing the new installment of <em>Krrish</em> for Rakesh Roshan, would be heading for the shooting as soon as he is done with his writing commitment. Says Bejoy, “Akarsh is an all-rounder. He is a true chip off the old block, and already a veteran of stage. He has co-written <em>David</em> with me. Akarsh features in a major role in the Neil episode of my film.”