Renowned Tollywood director Ram Gopal Varma has once again made headlines with his controversial remarks, this time targeting the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Speaking on a recent podcast, Varma strongly criticised the board’s approach to censoring films and questioned societal double standards regarding explicit content.
“Many argue that vulgar language should not be used in films, and the censor board continues to impose numerous restrictions as if films are the only platform where such content exists,” said Varma. He highlighted the prevalence of smartphones and easy access to explicit and violent content online, stating, “When people can freely watch porn and graphic violence on their phones, how is it logical to demand that films remain sanitized for entertainment?”
Varma went on to call the censor board an “expired concept” and described it as a “stupid thing,” adding that such restrictions are meaningless in the current digital age.
The filmmaker, known for his unfiltered opinions and provocative statements, has often courted controversy. However, his direct criticism of the censor board this time has attracted particular attention.
The CBFC has not yet issued a response to Varma’s comments.