'Aarakshan' director Prakash Jha against "self-appointed censors"

Aarakshan director Prakash Jha has slammed "self-appointed censors" for wanting to preview his controversial film about the Indian caste system.

The Commission for National Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes asked this week to watch the movie in case it offended any groups in India, Mumbai Mirror reports.

Jha told the paper: "Why should I show my film to anyone? Today, the SC/ST feels that my film is against the backward classes, tomorrow a few more organisations may want to see my film to decide whether it is beneficial or dangerous for a certain group of people."

He added: "Let the Censor Board decide whether my film is damaging in any sense. I won't let it be censored by self-appointed censors."

In Aarakshan, Saif Ali Khan plays a dairy owner born into the Dalit caste who falls in love with the daughter of his academic mentor at a college where he teaches.

Deepika Padukone and Amitabh Bachchan play the daughter and academic respectively.

Khan's casting in the role has been criticised because of his own aristocratic background.

The actor will reportedly wear a lot of make-up for the role in order to better resemble someone from the Dalit caste.

Watch Saif Ali Khan in the trailer for Aarakshan below: