CBFC chief blasts Imtiaz Ali’s “illegal” screening

Pahlaj Nihalani chief of the Central Board and Film Certification (CBFC) is not a happy man and it seems that Imtiaz Ali is the reason behind it.

According to Deccan Chronicle, the ‘Tamasha’ (2015) director apparently held an open press screening of an uncensored version of his next ‘Shor Aur Shaurat’, which will be a selection of seven short films helmed by protégées of seven renowned contemporary filmmakers, including Ali himself. Ali is said to have questioned the rational behind the film certification.

In response, the CBFC chief said, “By now I am used to being attacked by filmmakers who have no other way of getting noticed except hitting out at the CBFC. But does Imtiaz Ali follow the law of the land? Does he not know that it is illegal and unconstitutional to screen the uncensored version of a film, unless it is at a private screening or in a non-public domain?”

Nihalani was also under fire for allowing multiple kissing scenes in ‘Befikre’ (2016). In his defence Nihalani said,  “I have gone great lengths to explain how we shortened as many kisses as we could, without hampering the flow of the story. Initially I had kept the deleted kisses a secret so as to not risk the film’s market value. But in this industry, being considerate is equated with being prejudiced and corrupt. I owe no one any explanation about the cuts except to the Information & Broadcasting ministry.”