Nihalani invites wrath of the Marathi industry

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on February 11 issued guidelines that restrict the use of certain English and Hindi words in films.
The guidelines, predominantly banning the use of cuss words, haven���t gone down well with filmmakers from across the country who are voicing their concerns about this ban on ���creativity and freedom of expression���.Though the CBFC chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani, has said that he doesn���t mind being called conservative if he has to serve the nation, his remarks and the ban, have only earned him more ire from the cine industry.
Calling the ban an outright fatwa, filmmaker Sachin Kundalkar of 'Aiyyaa' and 'Happy Journey' said, ���Fatwa is the only word for this. By passing this guideline, the CBFC chief has successfully managed to convey an anti-youth message that the government is not at all a tolerant one.��� Expressing his disappointment over the decision, 'Ajoba' director Sujay Dahake said that he believes that everything ��� from abusive language to porn and nudity ��� should be available for watching. ���CBFC���s duty is to identify the category for a film and certify it for the right audience. They have to stop moral policing. Filmmakers are sensible enough to know what to show in their films and the audience is mature to select what they want to watch,��� he said. He further added, ���All this is part and parcel of life. If these emotions are suppressed, the results can be harmful for the society.���
READ: Trigger happy: Pahlaj Nihalani exceeds his brief
Ironically, Nihalani is the producer of films like 'Andaz' (1994) and 'Aankhen' (1993) which had songs full of suggestive gestures and double entendre ('Khada hai, khada hai' and 'Lelo lelo mera... imtihaan' from 'Andaz', just being examples). Doesn���t that qualify for hypocrisy then? Actor Adinath Kothare feels it does. ���It is unjust not only for the filmmakers but for the audience as well. This regressive approach and interference by the Board is denying the Indian audience authenticity and good cinema. And coming from Nihalani, it sure qualifies for hypocrisy, if we look at some of the films he has produced,��� he said. Actress Tejaswini Pandit stands on middle ground when it comes to the decision. While she feels that there are other things apart from abusive language that need to be dealt with too, she thinks the CBFC���s decision needs to be respected. She said, ���I don���t feel the Board���s decision will make much of a difference when it comes to performances. Plus there are better things to be dealt with by the Board rather than just concentrating on abuses.���
WATCH: Khada hai, khada hai, song from Nihalani's 'Andaz'

Filmmaker Nikhil Mahajan whose film 'Pune 52' had got an A certificate for bold content, feels that the censorship pattern needs to be more defined like that in the US or Australia so that it gives a clarity on what the film is about. ���Artistic expression is free speech and does not need censorship. I feel there should be no restrictions on the content. Instead, stricter vigil should be kept to ensure that no 10 or 12 year old sneaks into theatres to watch an adult film. Filmmakers do not include cuss words, violence or sex in their films for kicks. It is done out of requirement of the subject,��� said Mahajan.
The backlash on the CBFC is evident from the posts on social networking sites. Even CBFC member Ashoke Pandit has criticised the decision calling it ���against the freedom and creative liberty of a filmmaker���. Kundalkar said, ���I suggest the Board chief should check his image online first and not just press power buttons on his newly acquired chair. Let���s hope this is not just the first of the many fatwas to follow.���