Kolkata: Documentary faces censor board axe over communal riots and Naxalite references
National Award winning filmmaker Anirban Datta's "Kalikshetra" (The Land of Kali), an anthropological documentary on Kolkata's history is facing the axe with CBFC seeking several cuts over references to communal riots and the Naxalite movement.
In Short
- CBFC is in the eye of another storm, this time over a documentary film on Kolkata.
- National Award winning filmmaker Anirban Datta's "Kalikshetra" (The Land of Kali) facing the axe.
- CBFC seeking several cuts over references to communal riots and Naxalite movement.
Amidst the raging controversy over Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmavat', the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is in the eye of another storm, this time over a documentary film on Kolkata.
National Award winning filmmaker Anirban Datta's "Kalikshetra" (The Land of Kali), an anthropological documentary on Kolkata's history is facing the axe with CBFC seeking several cuts over references to communal riots and the Naxalite movement.
"The CBFC has sought five cuts in the film, objecting to references of the 1946 Direct Action Day and Naxal movement. They are misinterpreting the certification guidelines. How can I depoliticise representation of a historic political event which is already well documented? If there is such an attempt, then the very essence of it is lost. This is bizarre," says the filmmaker.
According to Datta, the Board has also sought omission of references to political parties like the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Indian National Congress.
Citing guidelines issued by the Government of India, CBFC claims parts of the film violate Rule 2(xiv & xix) of the under the Cinematograph Act, 1952 which prohibits airing of visuals or words "which promote communal, obscurantist, anti-scientific and anti-national attitude" or "involving defamation of an individual or a body of individuals, or contempt of court".
Datta questions how references to a historical event from 1946 instigate communal tensions now.
"It is well documented history and we should not suppress it, rather we should take lessons from it," he adds.
"What's the use of freedom of expression if I am made to express it inside a dark room?" the filmmaker laments, adding that the mainstream political language today was is far more communal and violent.
Protesting the CBFC ruling, he has decided to challenge it before the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal.
Interestingly, the film was commissioned by the Public Service Broadcasting Trust (PSBT) for state run broadcaster Doordarshan.
"As a filmmaker I am simply trying to narrate a part of history. I have never faced such an issue with my earlier films despite dealing with much more controversial subjects," Datta says.
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