Ahmedabad, Feb.2 (ANI): Despite receiving critical and commercial acclaim from all quarters for his film 'Parzania', Losngeles-based Indian filmmaker Rahul Dholakia is having a tough time releasing the picture in Gujarat.

His latest heart-rending film is based on the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat. It is the story of a child who goes missing during the riots, said to be one of the most brutal in the country's post-independence history, leaving about 2,500 people, mostly Muslims, dead.

Dholakia, feels the reluctance of cinema-owners to run his film in the state is the touchy subject of communal violence, but says he is not going to accept another censor after it was passed with minor cuts.

We were not allowed to release the film in Gujarat because the booking agent said there was some problem and we could not release it onanuary 26. Since then talks have been on, with the booking agents, president of the films association etc. Such a stalemate has come and I have been told that you show us the film and then we will decide whether to run it or not. I am against that because censor board (of India) has approved it. The film is running in the entire country so why should I go to every state and show them the film separately for their approval. I don't need another censor from them, Dholakia told reporters in Ahmedabad.

The inability of Dholakia to release it in Gujarat has shattered the hopes of the boy's parents of finding Azhar.

The riots erupted after 59 Hindus traveling on a train died in the town of Godhra after it was allegedly set on fire blamed by a Muslim mob, and sparked off widespread attacks against Muslims.

A photograph of Azhar, who was 13 when he went missing, is displayed at the end of the film.

Dholakia says he is sentimentally attached to the film, because the tragedy befell on his friend's family.

Dara, whose son went missing in the riots took the last photograph of him where he is holding the flag of India. That was taken on January 26, 2002. That was also very special and precious for me and so we decided that the film will be released on January 26 despite the fact that there was a big film Salaam-e-Ishq opposite us, he said.

The young boy's family are Parsis, members of the Zoroastrian community in India, and were attacked by rioters even though they were not Muslims.

Much has been written about the riots, but it has mainly focused on the killings of Muslims.

The film is the first to focus on the impact the violence had on Parsis, a distinct religious group.

The film was critically acclaimed at its premiere at the 2006 International Film Festival of India in Goa but a few critics said it focused too much on the agony of Muslims and not Hindus.

Parzania derives its name from a fantasy world in the film created by its 10-year-old protagonist Parzan.

Parzania, which stars art house cinema stars Naseeruddin Shah, Sarika and American actor Corin Nemec, had been cleared by India's Censor Board with minor cuts.

According to media reports, it is a strong contender for the National Film Awards. (ANI)