UDTA PUNJAB AND QUESTIONABLE
ROLE OF CENSOR BOARD
Dakshita Garhwal
The censor
board was established by the British rulers in 1920’s. The main motive behind
the creation of such an authority was blocking US which carried anti-colonial
sentiments or Indian movies which would politically heat up the anti-
colonialism.
‘Udta Punjab’ was suggested 13 cuts and given ‘A’
certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The producers of
the film approached the Bombay HC against this. And fortunately for them, the
film has to be cleared with a single cut and an ‘A’ certification.
Such kind of argument previously heated up for a movie called War and Peace by Pathwardhan which criticised India’s nuclear bomb. It was asked to
make 21 cuts which raised remarkable questions.
Article 19
of the Indian Constitution providing Freedom of speech and expression is
dragged into high controversies as censor board plays the role of reasonable
restrictions. Even the Indian Penal Code restricts free speech on certain
reasonable grounds.
Film makers claim that they must be provided freedom to exhibit their
creativity and censor board hurts their soul when something really relevant
with respect to the movie is cut off. But, isn’t the censor board doing its job
according to the set guidelines and Cinematography Act, 1952? India is a sensitive
country where a single issue can catch up so much heat. And, subsequently lead
to political quashes and much more. “Censor board should not act as moral
guardian”, many stated. The definition of morality differs according to
circumstances and the board is a balancing body.
The irony is
that the major concern of board is censoring scenes of violence and sex. Movies
are not the only platform where these get promoted. One can have easy access to
porn by simply typing a three lettered word ‘sex’ where the censor board
carries a long discussion for curbing a long kissing scene. Legalising child
pornography is definitely not promotes but one needs to understand that the new
generation is practising freedom of speech and expression in true sense.
Striking a
balance is an extreme need of hour. Censor board is definitely needed to
monitor the release of films with questionable standards. However, on the other
hand it is also necessary that the board does not grievously hurt the producers
disturbing the true intent of the movie. Sometimes, the board directs the ends
to the film makers, which is one of the examples of misrule and restricting
creativity.
All that
happened with the Udta Punjab case
reasonably travelled through the right track. Censor board did its job. The
filmmakers were unsatisfied. They approached court and everything got fairly in
its right place.
