Patna, Jan. 16: Aamir Khan, it appears, wants to address the controversy surrounding the soon-to-be-released film Dhobi Ghat.

The Maharashtra, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi units of Akhil Bharatiya Dhobi Mahasangh (ABDM), an organisation working for members of washermen community, have been protesting the release of the movie, claiming that the content of the film hurts their sentiments.

While Aamir has produced the film, his wife Kiran Rao is making her directoral debut with Dhobi Ghat.

Aamir Khan recently called up Bihar food and consumer protection minister Shyam Rajak, who is also the national president of ABDM, requesting him to attend the premiere of the movie slated to release on January 21.

“Aamir recently gave me a call requesting me to attend the premiere of the film on January 21, but I expressed my inability to go over to Mumbai on that date due to prior engagements,” Rajak told The Telegraph.

He said he asked Aamir to send him the script of the film so that he could read it and address the points being raised by the ABDM members. “Aamir insists I should see the film,” the minister said.

“I have apprised Aamir that I would go to Mumbai on the evening of January 26 for some other work and only then I would be able to see the film with him,” Rajak added.

He said any decision on launching a formal agitation against the screening of the film would be taken only after he watches the movie.

“As far as the protest by some of the state units of ABDM is concerned, I would not stop them unless I am satisfied that the film has nothing objectionable against our community,” Rajak said.

“While members of several state units are claiming that our community has been depicted in a derogatory way in the movie, Aamir told me that there was nothing like that,” the minister said, adding: “Aamir told me that Dhobi Ghat has been used as a symbolic representation. Just like clothes of people from all sections of society get collected at the ghat, people of different streams come together and live in Mumbai.”

The minister said he has called the members of ABDM state units to Mumbai to discuss the issue with them. If nothing objectionable is found in the movie, there would be no protest against it.

“I will go to Mumbai with an open mind,” the minister added. According to reports, the film Dhobi Ghat deals with the story of four persons who hail from different backgrounds. The essence of Mumbai is brought out through the relationships that develop among the four persons who meet each other in the city.

Aamir, too, has played a key role in the film. Prateek Babbar, son of actor-turned-politician Raj Babbar and actress Smita Patil, also has an important role in the film. Gustavo Santaolalla, a Golden Globe and Academy Award winner, has composed the music for the movie.

The film’s release is awaited as it is coming after Aamir Khan’s Peepli Live, which is India’s official entry to the best foreign film category at this year’s Oscars.