Censor board to Bombay HC on Kangana Ranaut’s ‘urgency’: Certificate may be issued if certain cuts are made

A still from Emergency starring Kangana Ranaut Photo credit: Special Arrangements

The Central Board of Film Certification on Thursday (September 26) told the Bombay High Court that the Kangana Ranaut film will be granted a certificate. state of emergency If certain deductions are made, its amendment is as per the recommendation of the Committee.

The movie, which was initially scheduled to release on September 6, has been embroiled in a battle with the Censor Board for not giving the movie a certificate for release.

Ranaut, who directed and co-produced the film alongside former prime minister late Indira Gandhi in the lead role, accused the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) of withholding the certificate for delaying the release.

The biographical play ran into controversy after some Sikh organizations, including the Shiromani Akali Dal, objected, accusing it of misrepresenting the community and misrepresenting historical facts.

Last week, a division bench of Justices BP Kolabawalla and Firdosh Puniwalla came down heavily on the CBFC for not deciding on granting a certificate for the movie.

The High Court then said that the Censor Board cannot sit on a fence and take its decision one way or the other as it would otherwise undermine freedom of speech and expression.

The court directed the CBFC to take a decision by September 25.

The film’s co-producer Zee Entertainment Entertainment approached the High Court seeking a direction to the CBFC to issue a certificate for the Kangana Ranaut-directed film “Emergency”.

On Thursday, the bench asked the CBFC if there was “good news” for the movie.

CBFC’s counsel Abhinav Chandrachud told the court that the board’s rectification committee had taken its decision.

“The committee has suggested some cuts before the certificate is issued and the movie can be released,” he said.

Senior advocate Sharan Jagatiani, appearing for Zee Entertainment, sought time to decide whether the cut could be made or not.

The bench then fixed September 30 for further hearing.

Zee Entertainment has claimed in its petition that CBFC has already produced the certificate for the movie but is not issuing it.

Last week, Zee Entertainment alleged that the certificate was withheld due to political reasons and the upcoming elections in Haryana.

The bench then wondered why the ruling party would act against Ranaut, who was herself a BJP MP.