Emergency release date: Bombay High Court raps CBFC for delaying certification of Kangana Ranaut’s film
PTC Web Desk: The Bombay High Court on Thursday strongly criticised the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for its delay in certifying the film "Emergency," starring Kangana Ranaut. The court maintained that creative freedom and freedom of expression must not be restricted due to concerns about potential law and order problems. The Bench, consisting of Justices BP Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla, expressed displeasure over the CBFC’s inaction and said a decision be made by September 25.
The court’s remarks came during a briefing in response to a petition filed by Zee Entertainment Enterprises, which sought a directive for the CBFC to issue a certificate for the film. The CBFC’s delay has been attributed to fears of public disorder and political interference, with Kangana Ranaut herself accusing the board of stalling the certification to postpone the film’s release.
During the hearing, Justice Colabawalla questioned the CBFC’s rationale for delaying the certification, asking if the board believed that the public was too naïve to differentiate fact from fiction. The court criticised the CBFC for not taking a firm stance and urged the board to either grant or deny the certificate outright, rather than delaying the process. The court noted that the board’s indecision was impacting the film’s release and infringing on creative freedom.
Justice Colabawalla further remarked on the general sensitivity towards films, suggesting that the public often tolerates various portrayals in movies without reacting negatively. This, he argued, should also apply to the film "Emergency."
The film "Emergency" has been embroiled in controversy, particularly from Sikh organisations like the Shiromani Akali Dal, which claim that the film misrepresents the Sikh community and historical facts. This controversy has fueled accusations that the CBFC is delaying the certification for political reasons.
Kangana Ranaut, who not only stars in but also directs and co-produces the film, is a BJP MP. The court questioned whether the ruling party could be against one of its own members. Senior counsel Venkatesh Dhond, representing Zee Entertainment, argued that the delay was intentional and linked to upcoming elections in Haryana, suggesting that the film’s release was being politically maneuvered.
Senior counsel Abhinav Chandrachud, representing the CBFC, explained that the film had been referred to the revising committee for a final decision due to concerns about potential public disorder. The court, however, dismissed this explanation as insufficient and ordered that the CBFC complete its review by September 18.
- With inputs from agencies
