Remember the HUGE scandal between the CBFC and Lipstick Under My Burkha back in 2017 for exploring female sexuality? Or that with Udta Punjab in 2016 for showing the drug crisis and substance abuse in Punjab? Or even Padmaavat, which was in no absolute need for censorship, had to go through a nationwide controversy. Between what the audience wants to watch and films which actually talk about valid social issues stands the Central Board of Film Certification.
Recently, the CBFC faced a lot of heat from Bombay High Court for giving a U/A certification to a children’s film. The film, Chidiakhana by Manish Tiwari, tells the story of a boy from Bihar who moves to Mumbai to pursue his dream of becoming a footballer. The movie talks about significant issues like racism, discrimination, child labour and it was planned to be shown in various schools. However, the CBFC deemed it fit to not give it a ‘U’ certification.
According to sources, CBFC censored it because of the presence of an abusive word and a particular scene, probably involving racism and discrimination, they didn’t find fitting. However, Bombay HC slammed them and how!
“How else does one show and explain these issues to a child? Is it not better to show such films to the child and explain that this is what happens and this is wrong”, said one of the Justices.
In strong observations, a division bench of Justices S. C. Dharmadhikari and Gautam Patel said that they may have to redefine the role of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) entirely.
“We actually wonder if the CBFC officials have children of their own. You are a certification board and not a censor board. Nobody has given you the intellectual morality and authority to decide what one wants to watch and see”, said Justice Patel.
They further went out to say how by censoring specific scenes, the CBFC is trying to pretend as if certain social issues don’t exist. And the panel condemned them for doing so.
“Are you (CBFC) ostriches? Put your head in the sand and pretend something does not exist”, said Justice Patel.
We hope after this strong court hearing, the CBFC will finally begin to certify films in a justified manner.