Expressing displeasure over the delay in the release of a certificate to the Kangana Ranaut-starrer Emergency, the Bombay High Court on Thursday directed the revising committee of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to take a decision by September 25 and communicate it to the film’s producer.
A division bench of Justices B P Colabawalla and Firdosh P Pooniwalla was hearing a plea by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd against CBFC for allegedly illegally and arbitrarily withholding the certificate granted to Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency.
The High Court asserted that the freedom of expression cannot be curtailed and the censor board cannot refuse to certify a film just because there is an apprehension of a law and order problem. It asked if the CBFC thinks the people of this country are so naive to believe everything that is shown in a movie.
“You (CBFC) must have the courage to say that this film will not be released. We will appreciate and examine the stand. We do not want CBFC to sit on the fence. Take a decision one way or the other by September 25,” the bench remarked.
On the petitioner’s claim that the CBFC was delaying issuance of certificate to the movie due to political reasons, the HC noted the film’s co-producer Ranaut was herself a sitting BJP parliamentarian and questioned if the ruling party was acting against its own MP.
Ranaut, who has directed and co-produced the film besides playing the lead role of former prime minister late Indira Gandhi, earlier this week accused the CBFC of stalling certification to delay the release.
The bench said, “You (CBFC) have to make a decision one way or the other. You must have the courage to say this film cannot be released. At least then we will appreciate your courage and boldness. We don’t want the CBFC to sit on the fence.”
The biographical drama, earlier scheduled for release on September 6, is caught up in controversy after Sikh organisations including the Shiromani Akali Dal objected, accusing the film of misrepresenting the community and getting historical facts wrong.