The Kerala High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the Central government on a writ petition filed by director of the Malayalam film Kathakali challenging the board’s suggestion for three cuts in the film for issuing certification.
When the petition came up for hearing, Justice P.B. Suresh Kumar asked the counsel for the CBFC to produce the Bombay High Court verdict in the Udta Punjab film case.
According to Saijo Kannanaikkal, director and producer of the film, the Central board wanted him to delete three scenes in the film. In fact, he had already deleted objectionable words from one scene. The two other scenes, which the board wanted him to remove, related to nudity. It was a non-sexual nudity and was justified as being part of the story.
A little bit of nudity was necessary, if at all partial visibility of a buttock was nudity, to make the scenes perfect.
Though the objectionable audio was deleted, the board officer was insisting on full compliance with the required modifications.
The delay in getting the film cleared was causing great deal of loss and hardship to the petitioner. The guidelines for certification of a film for public exhibition obliged the CBFC to ensure that human sensibility was not offended by vulgarity and obscenity. The petitioner sought a directive to the board to certify his Kathakali in accordance with Section 5A of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
Film Kathakali’s director challenges board’s suggestion for cuts in the film for certification.
