CBFC SLAMS PADMAVATI MAKERS FOR FLOUTING RULES
IN TROUBLE CBFC chief slams filmmakers for screening movie without getting censor certificate
MUMBAI: Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief Prasoon Joshi on Saturday slammed the makers of “Padmavati” for screening the movie for various TV channels without getting a censor certificate.
A day after the CBFC sent Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film back because the application for the certification was “incomplete”, Joshi said he was “disappointed” that it was being screened for the media and getting reviewed on national channels without CBFC having seen or certified it.
“This compromises the role of systems and balances that are part of a functioning industry. It’s myopic to treat the certification process haphazardly to suit convenience,” he said in the statement to PTI.
“On one hand, holding the CBFC responsible and pressurising to accelerate the process and on the other hand, attempt to subvert the very process, sets an opportunistic precedent,” he added. He reiterated that the application for certification for the film sent by the makers was incomplete.
SEVERAL RAJPUT GROUPS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE OPPOSING THE FILM, ALLEGING THAT IT “DISTORTS” HISTORY
JAIPUR/MUMBAI: Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje urged information and broadcasting minister Smriti Irani to ensure the movie Padmavati is not released without necessary changes so that it does not hurt the sentiments of any community, agencies reported on Saturday.
Several Rajput groups across the country are opposing the film, alleging that it “distorts” history.
In a letter to Irani, Raje suggested that a committee of historians, film experts and members of the Rajput community be formed to look into the film’s subject.
The letter is the first official communication from the Rajasthan chief minister on the controversy surrounding the Sanjay Leela Bhansali film starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in lead roles.
Both Padukone and Bhansali have received threats.
Incidentally, the filmmakers faced criticism from Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief Prasoon Joshi on Saturday for screening the movie for various TV channels without getting a censor certificate.
Joshi said he was “disappointed” the film was being screened for the media and getting reviewed without the CBFC having seen or certified it.
“This compromises the role of systems and balances that are part of a functioning industry. It’s myopic to treat certification process haphazardly to suit convenience,” he said in the statement to PTI.
Joshi’s statement came a day after the CBFC sent the film back because the application for the certification was “incomplete”. Rajasthan, meanwhile, continued to witness protests. Protesters blocked entry to the Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajsamand for a while on Saturday, demanding a ban on the film. On Friday, a similar protest was held at Chittorgarh Fort.
The majestic hill fort of Kumbhalgarh is the birthplace of legendary king Maharana Pratap and a Unesco world heritage site. “The entry was blocked for some time due to the protest and it resumed after the protest was over. Elaborate security arrangements were made in view of the demonstration, which ended peacefully,” said Kumbhalgarh circle officer Chandan Singh.