Censor board has always been unfair, says Bajpayee

Many known names from the film industry spoke up against the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in the recent Udta Punjab controversy. Ask Award-winning actor

Manoj Bajpayee (right) about it, and he says there’s nothing new about the censor Board being unfair. “Ever since it was formed, they have been unfair and there has always been a fight between them and the filmmakers. Their job is to only certify the film and not to censor or ban anything,” says Bajpayee.

“Censor board had banned Bandit Queen and the Supreme Court passed the film. So, it’s not that censor (board) has become unfair now. It has always been the same,” he adds.

CBFC had demanded over 89 cuts in Udta Punjab, after which the makers took the matter to court. After much hue and cry, the Bombay High Court cleared the film with just one cut. “It’s an undisputed fact that the CBFC had legal powers to suggest cuts and thus, creative freedom was not an absolute,” a HC bench had stated last month, adding that, however, it must be kept in mind that the censor board cannot use its powers “arbitrarily”.

Meanwhile, one of Bajpayee’s upcoming projects is a biopic about Budhia Singh, who ran 48 marathons — one of which, was from Bhubhaneshwar to Puri, when he was just five years old. The actor says he had instantly said a yes to the film’s script. “There was no question of saying no to this film because the script was damn good. I’m glad I did the film,” says Bajpayee, who is known for his professionalism and showed a glimpse of it during the film’s promotion.

Despite being ill, he went about to promote the project. According to a source, the actor has been down with viral for five days, leading to weakness. However, Bajpayee took antibiotics and went ahead with promotions.

Ever since CBFC was formed, they have been unfair. Their job is to only certify the film and not to censor or ban anything MANOJ BAJPAYEE, ACTOR