Some members of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) recently expressed unhappiness over the functioning of the board's chairman, Pahlaj Nihalani. The board has come under sharp criticism for decisions such as muting the word 'lesbian' in Dum Laga Ke Haisha and asking the makers of NH10 to cut scenes showing violence even after awarding the film an 'A' certificate. Ashoke Pandit, who is among the disgruntled members, talks to Ranjita Ganesan about the recent events and his expectations from the Censor Board
It appears there is a rift within the CBFC with some members raising concerns over Nihalani's actions. What is the mood like?
I feel "rift" is not the right term here. In a democracy, you have the right to express your opinion. I have nothing against Nihalani personally. I think his mandate should be restricted and everyone should move together. As censor board members, we are answerable to both the industry and the government. He is taking the industry back in time. Members including Chandraprakash Dwivedi, Nandini Sardesai and I do not want to become a laughing stock.
How does Nihalani carry out the role of chairman? What changes has he brought in?
Since I am also the president of the Indian Film and Television Directors' Association (IFTDA), I find people calling to check what kind of film they can make. This sort of fear psychosis is dangerous. Bigger producers might have access to government authorities and the powers that be when they are in trouble. For instance, the producer of NH10 went to the ministry. But newcomers in the industry are wondering whether they can use a particular line or not. Earlier you made a film and then went to the censor board. Now an atmosphere of "talibanisation" has been created as if to say, "I am here to teach you how to make a film". Smaller producers are irritated because he (Nihalani) does not talk to them properly. (Nihalani) has personal screenings of every film in his room. No board member has ever done that. Even Hollywood studios will not want to release films here soon.
What is the role of other members of the board? Are you consulted?
There is fear psychosis in CBFC also. He does not listen to the board's chief executive and issues diktats to regional officers, committee members and staff. The chairman does not have to be there from 10 am to 6 pm because it is not a full-time job. He only comes into the picture when there is a problem. Everything is coordinated over the phone or Internet these days. But Nihalani seems to be running the board almost like a production office.
People have been accusing the board of a tendency to issue bans - such as the list of prohibited cuss words. Is creative freedom at risk here?
When the list of cuss words came out, it was without the approval of the board members. So we had a board meeting and took him head on and the list became null and void. He said it was issued according to the guidelines but no book anywhere has mentioned which words can be used. Who has given him the authority to select "bad" words? He even said he would not have allowed films like Omkara and Gangs of Wasseypur to be passed (had he been censor chief at the time). These were films made by award-winning directors.
Is there also a tendency to order cuts? It was said NH10 had to suffer cuts despite an A certificate. How is that?
They were asked to cut 30 per cent of the violence. Why? The job of the board is to certify, not censor.
You mentioned that film makers are worried. Is there any plan to protest?
Directors have been on the phone with each other and they are meeting with ministers. They will not allow this to continue. The expectation was that we will work with the industry. We currently follow the Cinematograph Act of 1952. My idea was that we would sit with representatives from the film industry, understand their problems and come out with modern guidelines. Nihalani brushed it off.
What is your plan? Are you seeking the chairman's resignation?
His resignation is not what we want. Our contention is to change with the times. The government seems keen on it too. Whenever I have met Rajyavardhan Rathore (minister of state for information and broadcasting), he has said we should move with today's world. As a 50-year-old, my intelligence is being compared to a 15-year-old child now. The entire concept of adult has to be re-examined. The new generation of film makers is so intelligent. Curbing their freedom is wrong.
Film maker Chandraprakash Dwivedi on his expectations from the censor board: http://mybs.in/2Rtqkkd
It appears there is a rift within the CBFC with some members raising concerns over Nihalani's actions. What is the mood like?
I feel "rift" is not the right term here. In a democracy, you have the right to express your opinion. I have nothing against Nihalani personally. I think his mandate should be restricted and everyone should move together. As censor board members, we are answerable to both the industry and the government. He is taking the industry back in time. Members including Chandraprakash Dwivedi, Nandini Sardesai and I do not want to become a laughing stock.
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Since I am also the president of the Indian Film and Television Directors' Association (IFTDA), I find people calling to check what kind of film they can make. This sort of fear psychosis is dangerous. Bigger producers might have access to government authorities and the powers that be when they are in trouble. For instance, the producer of NH10 went to the ministry. But newcomers in the industry are wondering whether they can use a particular line or not. Earlier you made a film and then went to the censor board. Now an atmosphere of "talibanisation" has been created as if to say, "I am here to teach you how to make a film". Smaller producers are irritated because he (Nihalani) does not talk to them properly. (Nihalani) has personal screenings of every film in his room. No board member has ever done that. Even Hollywood studios will not want to release films here soon.
What is the role of other members of the board? Are you consulted?
There is fear psychosis in CBFC also. He does not listen to the board's chief executive and issues diktats to regional officers, committee members and staff. The chairman does not have to be there from 10 am to 6 pm because it is not a full-time job. He only comes into the picture when there is a problem. Everything is coordinated over the phone or Internet these days. But Nihalani seems to be running the board almost like a production office.
People have been accusing the board of a tendency to issue bans - such as the list of prohibited cuss words. Is creative freedom at risk here?
When the list of cuss words came out, it was without the approval of the board members. So we had a board meeting and took him head on and the list became null and void. He said it was issued according to the guidelines but no book anywhere has mentioned which words can be used. Who has given him the authority to select "bad" words? He even said he would not have allowed films like Omkara and Gangs of Wasseypur to be passed (had he been censor chief at the time). These were films made by award-winning directors.
Is there also a tendency to order cuts? It was said NH10 had to suffer cuts despite an A certificate. How is that?
They were asked to cut 30 per cent of the violence. Why? The job of the board is to certify, not censor.
You mentioned that film makers are worried. Is there any plan to protest?
Directors have been on the phone with each other and they are meeting with ministers. They will not allow this to continue. The expectation was that we will work with the industry. We currently follow the Cinematograph Act of 1952. My idea was that we would sit with representatives from the film industry, understand their problems and come out with modern guidelines. Nihalani brushed it off.
What is your plan? Are you seeking the chairman's resignation?
His resignation is not what we want. Our contention is to change with the times. The government seems keen on it too. Whenever I have met Rajyavardhan Rathore (minister of state for information and broadcasting), he has said we should move with today's world. As a 50-year-old, my intelligence is being compared to a 15-year-old child now. The entire concept of adult has to be re-examined. The new generation of film makers is so intelligent. Curbing their freedom is wrong.
Film maker Chandraprakash Dwivedi on his expectations from the censor board: http://mybs.in/2Rtqkkd