Bengali film on demonetisation referred to CBFC chief

Kolkata, March 29 (IANS) A Bengali film that deals with the plight of people post-demonetisation has been referred by the Kolkata regional office of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to the board's chief Pahlaj Nihalani for a decision on certification.

The Kolkata office of the censor board in its intimation to "Shunyota" ("Emptiness") makers has cited "differences of opinion among members of the (examining) committee regarding certification" as a reason to refer it to the chief for the decision on certification.

"The three-part film was scheduled to release on March 31. We were informed yesterday (Tuesday) that committee members couldn't take a call regarding category of certification. I think it has got to do with the fact that it is on demonetisation... there can't be any other reason," director Suvendu Ghosh said.

He claimed his film was the first on demonetisation.

"The three-part film comprises two documentaries that had earlier received certification from the same censor board. I fail to understand why the 105-minute feature, that includes an additional story, got stuck with the censor board members," Ghosh said.

"We urge the chairman to clear the film," he said, adding the film doesn't have any "political colours".

The move comes in the wake of controversies surrounding "Lipstick Under My Burkha".

"The film ("Lipstick...") is being celebrated all over the world at various festivals, so what is stopping the CBFC from certifying the film? I want my film to be screened for audiences across cinema halls and not just for a section of viewers," asserted Ghosh.

"Shouldn't we talk about demonetisation? Is it a hush-hush affair? No. It has impacted all sections of the society. Why is the censor board not giving it a certificate? I have not shown anything controversial in the film...," he added.