Can release Kangana’s Emergency with cuts: Censor board
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on Thursday told the Bombay High Court that a certificate would be issued to Kangana Ranuat’s film Emergency if certain cuts were made, as recommended by its revising committee.
Row over biographical drama
- Sikh organisations, including SAD, objected to the Emergency movie, saying it misrepresents community
- The film, set for release on Sept 6, was stalled for want of certificate from the CBFC
- Producers moved the Bombay HC, which then told the censor board to take call by Sept 25
The movie, which was initially slated for release on September 6, has been embroiled in a battle with the censor board for non-issuance of certificate for its release. Ranaut, who has directed and co-produced the film, besides playing the lead role of former PM late Indira Gandhi, had accused the CBFC of stalling certification to delay the release.
The biographical drama was caught in a controversy after some Sikh organisations, including the Shiromani Akali Dal, objected to it, accusing it of misrepresenting the community and getting historical facts wrong.
A Division Bench of Justice BP Colabawalla and Justice Firdosh Pooniwalla last week come down heavily on the CBFC for not taking a decision on the issuance of certificate for the movie. The HC had then said the censor board could not sit on the fence and had to take its decision one way or the other as it would otherwise amount to curtailing the freedom of speech and expression. The court had directed the CBFC to take its decision by September 25.
The movie’s co-producer Zee Entertainment Enterprises had moved the HC, seeking a direction to the CBFC to issue a certificate for its release. On Thursday, the Bench asked the CBFC if it has “good news” for the movie. CBFC’s counsel Abhinav Chandrachud told the court that the board’s revising committee had taken its decision. “The committee has suggested some cuts before a certificate can be issued and movie can be released,” he said.
Senior counsel Sharan Jagtiani, appearing for Zee Entertainment, sought time to take a decision on whether or not the cuts can be made. The Bench then posted the matter for further hearing on September 30.
