The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), taking umbrage at what it decided are ‘vulgar and offensive scenes’ in it, has refused to certify public screening of the Malayalam film Ka Bodyscapes produced and directed by New York-based film-maker Jayan Cherian.
In a rejection letter sent to the maker of the film, A. Prathibha, regional officer of the CBFC in Thiruvananthapuram, wrote: “The revising committee felt that the entire content of the Malayalam feature film Ka Bodyscapes is ridiculing, insulting and humiliating Hindu religion, in particular portraying Hindu Gods in poor light. Derogatory words are used against women. The Hindu God ‘Hanuman’ is shown as coming in the books titled ‘I am Gay’ and other homosexual books. The film has also references to lady masturbating, highlighting ‘gay’ by many ‘gay’ posters. The film offends human sensibilities by vulgarity, obscenity and depravity… (sic),” the letter said.
The CBFC regional office had earlier referred the film, which is woven around a gay love story, to the review committee. It transferred the review screening to Chennai and postponed it on the eve of the screening scheduled for July 5. Finally, as the maker accused the board of dragging its feet on certifying the film, the review committee watched it on July 15.
Mr. Cherian, who had a run-in with the board while seeking certification for his maiden feature film Papilio Buddha, accused the board of suffering from homophobia. “Their basic attitude towards and idea of same sex love is that it’s vulgar and obscene,” he told The Hindu . He said he will move the High Court of Kerala for relief.
The Kerala High Court had earlier this year asked the CBFC to certify in 15 days the film Chayam Poosiya Veedu [The Painted House], which it had refused to clear on grounds of nudity.
Satish Babusenan, who along with his sibling Santosh made that film, told The Hindu that they sought the court’s intervention as the CBFC was bent on declining it any certificate. “Finally, we were able to get it certified without any cuts,” he said.
Ka Bodyscapes trains the camera on the recent spate of struggles, basically for civil rights, sexual choices and women’s freedom.
