Tamil Nadu   

Release `Kutrapathirikai' with `A' certificate: court

A. Subramani

CHENNAI: Flaying the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) for its "rank political partisanship," the Madras High Court has directed the Board to release the Tamil film, `Kutrapathirikai,' with `A' certificate.

Rejecting the CBFC contention that the film, based on the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, insulted Congress functionaries, the First Bench said the argument was totally unsustainable and showed the rank political partisanship on the part of the certifying Board.

The Bench, comprising Chief Justice A.P. Shah and Justice K. Chandru, also said the objections raised by the Regional Officer of the Board against the film were "absurd, unsustainable and deserve to be rejected." As for the scenes showing a former Chief Minister, the Bench said it was a work of fact and fiction, and that there was nothing wrong in retaining the portions. It also turned down the Additional Solicitor-General's plea to insert a declaration at the end of the film, to the effect that all the accused in the assassination case were punished. The film started even before the trial commenced, the Bench pointed out, adding that the whole world knew the outcome of the case.

As for the review panel's conclusion that the film could adversely affect the friendly relations with a neighbouring country, the Bench said it was not open for the panel members to arrive at such a conclusion.

Rapping the CBFC for fighting the case for over 10 years, the Judges said it was "highly condemnable" and the Board deserved an exemplary cost. The film, directed by R.K. Selvamani, is awaiting clearance since 1993.

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