Pahlaj Nihalani, the chairman of Central Board of Film Certification, has slammed everyone who questioned the board’s decision of denying the certificate to film Lipstick Under My Burkha. In a conversation with media, Nihalani said all those who are debating over the issue had little idea how the CBFC functioned. He said the film’s makers could approach the tribunal and CBFC would follow the decision.
Lipstick Under My Burkha, produced by Prakash Jha and directed by Alankrita Shrivastava received applauds at the film festivals it was screened. Featuring Konkana Sen Sharma and Ratna Pathak Shah in important roles, the film spoke about the sexual desires of women. However, despite being touted as a movie which brilliantly taught gender equality, the film was denied certification in India.
The board in a letter to Prakash Jha told, “There are continuous sexual scenes, abusive words, audio pornography and a bit sensitive touch about one particular section of society, hence film refused.”
This reason by the board got slammed by many from the film fraternity. Almost everyone questioned the sanity of the censor board and its hypocrisy. The actor of the film, Sushant Singh said CBFC was fine with sexual innuendos but had issues with a movie that showed women’s desires.
Soon enough people on social media too struck at Pahlaj Nihalani. There were many of the opinion that the chief should step down because he has a habit of taking regressive decisions. Nihalani said he would accept the decision of removing him but would keep doing his duties with diligence.
Ppl in media&on social media don’t know certification process;CBFC wil not work acc to them-Pahlaj Nihalani #LipstickUnderMyBurkha (FilePic) pic.twitter.com/vMUfDlSlbw
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2017
Objection is on content not on word ‘burkha’ in title.In favour of women empowerment bt projection not right-Nihalani #LipstickUnderMyBurkha pic.twitter.com/0wqkPheZW7
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2017
Hindustan ki parampara ko aage rakh ke film banaye. Festival me film dikhao taali bajti hai par theatre me public nahi aati: Pahlaj Nihalani pic.twitter.com/5hdlpEVaHR
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2017
