2024 KIFF film caught in censor crosshairs
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Kolkata: A Bengali film, screened at Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) last year and based on what happens when relics of an ancient temple get unearthed underneath a mosque before an election, has been caught in a censorship row.
Verbal observations have been made about scenes with a cow and dialogues referring to Hindus. While the director alleged that CBFC has not revealed in writing the reasons for delaying the censorship certificate, sources at the censor office say protocol has been followed and the film has been sent to the chairman keeping the director in the loop.
Arka Mukhopadhyay's 'Kalponik' stars Rajatava Dutta, Shahidur Rehman and Satakshi Nandy.
The application to CBFC was submitted on June 6 with a verbal request to view the film as soon as possible so that it can be released on the decided date by the producers. "A board was formed and the film was viewed on June 22," Mukhopadhyay said.
According to the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, time limits are applicable for certification under various circumstances. Going by this, a maximum of 48 days are required before a certificate is issued.
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No production house is supposed to announce a film's release date before it gets the certificate in hand. A June application can never target a July 11 release date if CBFC has to follow its protocol. Besides, it is not keeping into account that there could be disagreements over cuts.
"An examining panel has watched the film. A show-cause notice has been sent to the director with recommendations for sending the film to the revising committee," said a source.
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But repeated calls, messages to regional officer of CBFC did not yield any response. According to Mukhopadhyay, CBFC's oral hearing had observations on three scenes. Though the film touches upon subjects like how parties are deliberately confusing mythology and history in contemporary India, no observations were made regarding this during hearing. "Neither was anything mentioned about how the film targeted the right wing," Mukhopadhyay said.
But there was an observation about a scene where a teacher in a remote Bengal village asks her students their language, country and religion. "To this, the students mention Hindi, Hindusthan and Hindu. At the hearing, it was told that you won't play the film only in Kolkata. In non-Bengali speaking localities, people might get offended if they watch this portion," Mukhopadhyay said.
The second observation was regarding a cow scene where a journalist, in her attempt to stay ahead of the game, stages a photo shoot where a cow is shown being perched up on a tree.
The third observation is Dutta's monologue at the end. "For the cow scene, my inspiration was footage of a journalist standing neck deep in the floods to get exclusive footage. At the hearing, CBFC had observations about why I do not yet have a certificate from Animal Welfare Board of India.
Though nothing was mentioned about the cow, my team member at the hearing didn't get a good vibe. Everything was verbal. I am in the dark and despite repeated emails, I do not have anything in writing about the concerns they raised," Mukhopadhyay added.
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