‘What’s behind the choli is behind the choli’: How Bal Thackeray saved Sanjay Dutt’s Khal Nayak

Bal Thackeray played a crucial role in the release of Sanjay Dutt's film Khal Nayak in 1993, which faced considerable controversy and protests. The film, starring Sanjay Dutt, Madhuri Dixit, and Jackie Shroff, was met with objections from nearly 32 organizations due to the song "Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai." The Shiv Sena, in particular, was vocal in their disapproval, even forming protests in Pune and Delhi.

In response to the mounting backlash, Bal Thackeray decided to watch the film himself. After doing so, he wrote in the Shiv Sena's newspaper, Saamna, that the film was beautiful and that "what is behind the choli is what is behind the choli." This statement effectively changed the atmosphere and helped clear the path for Khal Nayak's release.