NEW DELHI: The Modi interview wasn’t Doordarshan ’s first attempt at self-censorship. The national broadcaster developed cold feet recently over a docu-drama on the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi which focused on Nathuram Godse’s trial when the Prasar Bharati board expressed concerns that it was likely to be “inflammatory’’ in nature.The 52-episode serial was eventually "withdrawn" by director-producer duo Ketan Mehta and Deepa Sahi citing time constraints. The Prasar Bharati board felt that focusing the program only on Gandhi’s assassination did not appear to be a "very good idea" for as many as 52 episodes. The docu-drama was discussed by the Prasar Bharati board in its January meeting.This little known fact comes to light soon after Prasar Bharati came under fire recently after it edited out remarks by BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Ahmed Patel from an interview given to DD to avoid controversy. DD has maintained that there was no deliberate attempt at editing.On the Gandhi serial, the board’s observations were, "Considering the subject matter spans a relatively short period in the life of Mahatma Gandhi, the proposed number of episodes (52) appear to be on the higher side and could be judiciously pruned. Since material on the trial of Nathuram Godse is likely to be inflammatory in nature, focusing the programme on the trial is avoidable…It was felt that the theme of the proposed program could be woven around the various events that happened during the last days of Mahatma including Independence, partition, Noakhali tragedy etc."The board proposed setting up of a committee including DD director general Tripurari Sharan, part time board members Muzaffar Ali and Prema Cariappa. "The committee may co-opt any other subject expert it so required. The committee may also like to interact with Ketan Mehta on the matter while arriving at the final decision," said the minutes of the meeting accessed by TOI.When asked why the docu-drama did not get Prasar Bharati’s approval Sharan said, "There were certain concerns raised by the board. But the proposal was withdrawn by Ketan Mehta citing his inability to take it further. He later told me he thought the subject may have better prospect as a film."When contacted, Maya Movies co-founder Deepa Sahi said, "We have withdrawn from the project for the time being due to time constraints and informed DD."Godse, a former RSS member, was executed after a year-long trial for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Books and plays on the assassin have been controversial. In recent times a play "Mee Nathuram Godse Boltoy” was banned.