Govt can’t interfere in certification process: I&B
9 Jun 2016 5:40 AM IST
With the row over film 'Udta Punjab' escalating, Information and Broadcasting ministry officials on Wednesday asserted that the certification process is independent and even court verdicts have made it clear that the government does not have much role in it.
Their reaction came after co-producer Anurag Kashyap lashed out at Censor Board chief Pahlaj Nihalani over the proposed cuts in the film, calling him “oligarch” and “dictator”, and dragged in I&B ministry in the controversy saying he got no help from it.
“The process is quite clear that filmmakers can approach the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) in case they are not satisfied with the decisions of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Court guidelines also make it clear that in such matters it is not for the I&B ministry to take matters in its own hands,” an official said.
Official sources cited a judgement in the matter Union of India vs KM Shankarappa given by a double bench of Supreme Court in November 2000, where it felt that a provision which gave the Centre powers to intervene and review matters pending before the certification board or the appellate tribunal was a travesty of rule of law.
Not under political pressure: Nihalani
Censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani dismissed allegations that he was under any political pressure from the Punjab government over the release of “Udta Punjab”.
The Abhishek Chaubey-directed movie is in the middle of a censorship row and while its makers are battling with the board, political parties have alleged that Nihalani acted under the direction of the state government.
One of the producers, Anurag Kashyap, has openly slammed the censor board and its chief for allegedly demanding 89 cuts in the film, besides asking them to drop the word 'Punjab' from the title and the movie.
“Absolutely not. I am not under any political pressure,” Nihalani said when asked whether he acted under the pressure of Punjab government.
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