With the ongoing Mersal Vs CBFC controversy, a lot of speculations are doing the rounds across the internet. Now, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) Chairperson Prasoon Joshi, has come to the forefront to clear the air. He says that he is a tad disappointed at how the censor board is used as a springboard for controversies and, it has to stop as soon as possible. His comment comes amidst the row over Tamil film "Mersal", after certain media reports indicated that the movie's Telugu version was getting delayed due to the CBFC.
The movie itself has been embroiled in controversy after the Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanded the removal of certain dialogues which take a dig at the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Digital India.
Joshi told IANS here: "I am not upset, I'm a little disappointed that before you (people) make accusations and allegations, you should check, because such a (certification) process requires sensitivity from both ends.
"Let's not use CBFC for some commercial reasons or for somebody's political career. We should not try to use CBFC. It should be respected as much as one respects their own organisation."
Over the recent years, several filmmakers have locked horns with the censor body over its diktats and demands for cuts, mutes and changes, leading to a brouhaha in the media.
Joshi, who was appointed CBFC chief in August and succeeded the rocky reign of Pahlaj Nihalani, said it's time to move to "content from controversy".
"It should be more about the content that drives a film. Why should CBFC be used for a controversy? It is an organisation that consists of people like any other organisation, so why should we be unfair to people who work in CBFC and completely unappreciate the efforts?" he asked.
As far as "Mersal" is concerned, he said it was an "unfair" assumption that the delay in the Telugu version was caused by the CBFC.
"The film fraternity knows that it will take a certain time and the time is clearly mentioned on the official website," Joshi said, adding that it is disheartening for those in the CBFC who "work hard to ensure the certification process for films is as smooth and fast as possible".
(With IANS Inputs)
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