There seems to be an all-out war in the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between chief Pahlaj Nihalani and a group of members, led by filmmaker Ashoke Pandit.
Adding yet another chapter to the public disagreements between the duo, Pandit called Nihalani an "anarchist" in a tweet and blamed him for the unnecessary delay in clearing Emraan Hashmi, Amyra Dastur-starrer Mr X.
In a series of tweets, he said, "Finally Mukesh & @MaheshNBhatt get their Censor Certificate which was cleared bt illegally withheld by the Chairman. #MrX #Anarchist."
Ashoke Pandit had earlier termed the CBFC chief tyrant in a tweet.
He also wrote, "Mukesh Bhatt & @MaheshNBhatt lose 60 lacs due to the unnecessary delay of their film by the Chairman of #CBFC. Sad."
He thanked fellow member Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi and CBFC CEO Dr Shravan Kumar for getting the film passed. "Thank you @Dr_ShravanKumar CEO & Dr. ChandraPrakash Dwivedi for your support in clearing @MaheshNBhatt & Mukesh Bhatt's Mr.X. #CBFC."
Pandit has earlier criticised Nihalani's way of working as well. In a Facebook post, he had exposed rifts within the panel that had thwarted the theatrical release of films such as Hollywood hit Fifty Shades of Grey or objected to cuss words being used in Bollywood movies. The board had also demanded the word 'lesbian' be bleeped from Dum Lagake Haisha and refused to clear UnFreedom, a film based on a lesbian relationship.
Pandit has earlier criticised Nihalani's way of working as well. In a Facebook post, he had exposed rifts within the panel that had thwarted the theatrical release of films such as Hollywood hit Fifty Shades of Grey or objected to cuss words being used in Bollywood movies. The board had also demanded the word 'lesbian' be bleeped from Dum Lagake Haisha and refused to clear UnFreedom, a film based on a lesbian relationship.
It is understood that other members also share his concerns. Dwivedi had also written a letter after the board demanded cuts in Anushka Sharma's NH 10. A delegation of film personalities also met minister of state for Information and Broadcasting, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, regarding the role of CBFC.
Nihalani took over as CBFC chief in January after Leela Samson resigned after alleging that there was government interference in the clearing of films.
Also read: Pandit calls Nihalani a tyrant after cuts demanded in NH 10
Also read: Who will censor the Censors?
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