When modi came in power, censor board chief immediately resigned himself. He knew, government will replace him. So he left on his own. Government always put their people in power in these institutions without wasting time. When BJP came in power in 1998 and that year immediately they appointed Asha Parekh as new CBFC chief and she stayed in power for entire NDA term till 2004. Fact remains Sarfarosh was NOT released in Congress era. Aamir himself said anti Pakistan movies were not possible before 1998 as CBFC wont let us release such movies. You were not allowed to call Pakistan a terrorist country in movies before 1998. And it doesn't matter whether Sarfarosh had any influence or not. Only thing im trying to point out here that how film makers were NOT allowed to make anti Pakistan or anti isi movies in India which talks about Pakistan based terrorism before 1998. Border was only exception, but it came during political turnoil in India, maybe JP Dutta had good political connection. Though, Border was about 1971 war and didn't talk about sponsored terrorism in Pakistan. So Congress allowed it coz in 1971 War Indira Gandi was in power and movie was based on 1971 war. Bombay movie was not related to Pakistan and it showed local riots, but didnt attack any community in the movie. It did monkey balancing and held both communities responsible and all.

It doesn’t happen instantaneously. Specially when there is a weak coalition government where ppl know it’d be dropping anytime. Takes time for tenures & replacements. Right wing wasn’t influencing Bollywood at all before the 2000’s. Border & Sarfarosh & Bombay were organically released without any political influences or affiliations. It was the mood of the nation & that’s sarvochh & sarva priya 🙌🏽

You guys are reading too much into the political interference that happens in the movie A lot of good movies get made without someone poking, a lot of bad movies get made with political backing. In the end, movies or any sort of entertainment doesn't *enlighten" anyone, it just confirms your biases and give you feeling that you were right. All movies have propoganda, you choose to swallow it or spit at it.

United Front collapsed in 1997. Election were held in 1998 and then Government collapsed again in 1999 April, after that President Rule was imposed till October same year and then Vajpayee was selected again. Sarfarosh was released right aroud when Government collapsed and president rule was imposed. CBFC people were pro BJP government that time. Censor Board governance always changes based on who in power. Congress was not in power from 1998 to 2004. Everything is crystal clear, there's no nitpicking on dates. Its all mentioned in records. And yes, i appreciate Aamir for going against the ecosystem and making movie like Sarfarosh, but nothing changes the fact that he clearly said we were NOT allowed to make anti ISI or anti Pakistan movies before 1998. He specifically mentioned the year for a reason. Here's the video

This Government had collapsed in April….the month in which Sarfarosh released. Nit picking dates aside….we all know it takes years to place your own ppl in various institutions of the country. So it’s safe to say the censor & regulatory boards were deeply in congress’s pockets until much later years of NDA-1. Sarfarosh getting green lit & produced & then released was totally outside of any sort of right wing influence. Same goes for Border.