The industry is jubilant about the Bombay High Court’s verdict to clear the film with one cut only. Is this a sign of times to come We glean insights from the industry
The industry is jubilant about the Bombay High Court’s verdict to clear the film with one cut only. Is this a sign of times to come We glean insights from the industry
Today is Independence Day for our film industry,” said Vikram Bhatt soon after the Bombay High Court passed its verdict on Monday, ordering the Central Board of Film Certification to clear the film with one cut only. Only last week the film was reeling under 89 cuts that the CBFC had ordered. The co-producers Phantom Films and Balaji Telefilms moved court against the CBFC ruling and in a dramatic turn of events, it was victory all the way for the makers. Speaking to reporters outside court, a visibly elated Abhishek Chaubey, who is the director of the film, said, “Massively relieved today, looking to release the film on the scheduled date,” he said to reporters outside court.”
The industry is expectedly jubilant about the verdict. Vikram adds, “Now we know there is a body that is going to uphold our rights, we are going to get justice in the end and the oppression of our Constitution and the cultural emergency will not prevail.” Regarding the controversy itself, Vikram feels that Pahlaj Nihalani is not the key player. “Instead of questioning him and company, we should rather question the Information and Broadcasting Ministry,” he says. About the CBFC’s approach to films, the filmmaker adds, “Two possibilities there — either the CBFC is out of control or that the CBFC is being controlled. I think we as the people of this country need to know which one is true.” However, Vikram doesn’t feel that the landmark verdict will change things for future scenarios like this. “I don’t think things will change. I think the CBFC functions the way it wants to. Even the Tribunal is a quasi-legal body and in spite of that the CBFC has been doing what it wants to do. They put a Gajendra Chauhan on us or a Pahlaj Nihalani on us and refuse to withdraw them. Obviously they look like glaring mistakes but that’s the way it is.”
Filmmaker Kunal Kohli is optimistic though. Calling the Bombay High Court’s decision “a positive step towards freedom of expression in the country”, he says, “I hope the CBFC earnestly decides to make some changes in its functioning after today’s hearing. The judicial system makes me reaffirm my belief in the system. When the judiciary too is backing the film, the board seriously needs to introspect its functioning.”
Madhur Bhandarkar has had several tussles with the CBFC to get clearance for his films. The Chandni Bar and Page 3 director also echoes Kunal’s views. “As filmmakers, we have certain fundamental rights as far as our films are concerned. I have been jostling with the censor board right from my Chandni Bar days to Calendar Girls. So I know how much trouble it takes to blur shots or change dialogues, and so many times one is forced to do that. So, definitely the Bombay High Court judgement is a game changer for the film industry and filmmakers. We’re looking at this from a positive perspective. In the coming days the Shyam Benegal Committee also will come up with set of changes and that too will come as a relief to filmmakers,” he says.
Director Onir calls it a “shame” the way the CBFC dropped the axe on the film and ordered 89 cuts. “Whoever was involved in the process of the film’s certification, including the CBFC chief, it was a shame the way it turned out,” he says, adding, “It’s alarming how we need the judiciary to interfere in such matters. For small, independent filmmakers, it’s not feasible to fight it out in the courts; it’s rather difficult in fact. Thankfully, our judiciary is open and broad-minded, we can take such fights to the courts. Unfortunately, the CBFC does not seem to respect artistic sensibilities. Let alone pulling up their socks, I feel the members should resign out of shame. This incident shows how dangerous this trend is and how dangerous they are. Imagine, if the filmmakers had not gone to court, the entire film would’ve been butchered.”
“These days it’s almost like making a film itself is a controversial act,” rues Madhur. During his film Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji, the director was looking at an U/A certificate but that didn’t happen. “Thanks to two dialogues, it was given an A certification. I feel the guidelines have to change. The Shyam Benegal Committee is already recommending changes and Mr (Arun) Jaitley himself said that we’re expecting changes. So I’m optimistic about it and there will be a change for the better,” he says.
Trade analyst Komal Nahta is, of course, a numbers man. He points out how the whole controversy has by default done a world of good for Udta Punjab. And now the verdict, of course, he says is the icing on the cake. “The controversy will work in the film’s favour because it has got everyone’s curiosity. Now, people will want to know what are the scenes that the CBFC suggested be cut. Today’s verdict is a slap on the board’s face.” He continues, “The film, today, stands as a good example of fighting against the CBFC. I think it’s high time the board pulls up its socks and focuses on doing a better job.”
