CBFC Cuts Words Like ‘Pradhan Mantri’ & ‘Chaiwala’ from Murderbaad
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has once again made headlines for its strict guidelines on what can and cannot be shown on the big screen. The latest controversy surrounds the upcoming film ‘Murderbaad’, which has been directed by Arnab Chatterjee. According to reports, the CBFC has instructed the makers of the film to edit out words such as ‘pradhan mantri’ and ‘chaiwala’ from a dialogue.
For those who may not be familiar, ‘pradhan mantri’ is a Hindi term that translates to ‘prime minister’, while ‘chaiwala’ is a colloquialism for a tea vendor. The context in which these words were used in the film is unclear, but the fact that the CBFC deemed them inappropriate is a cause for concern.
Director Arnab Chatterjee has defended the inclusion of these words, stating that they were used in a benign and aspirational context. “It was absolutely benign joke, rather aspirational for lower-middle class of our country, and far away from any political stance,” he said in a statement. Despite the CBFC’s instructions, the film has still received an ‘A’ certification, which is the highest rating given to a film in India.
It’s worth noting that the CBFC has a reputation for being quite strict when it comes to censoring films. In recent years, the board has been criticized for cutting scenes and dialogue that it deemed inappropriate, even if they were not explicitly sexual or violent. The latest controversy surrounding ‘Murderbaad’ is just the latest example of the board’s overreach.
The issue of censorship is a complex one, and it’s difficult to know where to draw the line. On one hand, the CBFC’s primary role is to ensure that films are suitable for all audiences and to protect children from harmful or inappropriate content. On the other hand, the board’s strict guidelines can sometimes stifle creativity and limit the kinds of stories that can be told on the big screen.
In the case of ‘Murderbaad’, it’s hard to see how the inclusion of words like ‘pradhan mantri’ and ‘chaiwala’ could be considered offensive. These are common terms that are used in everyday conversation, and they do not have any explicit political or sexual connotations. It’s possible that the CBFC was being overly cautious, but it’s also possible that the board was trying to send a message about what kinds of language are acceptable in Indian films.
Regardless of the CBFC’s motivations, the controversy surrounding ‘Murderbaad’ is a reminder of the importance of artistic freedom and the need for balance in the censoring of films. While the board’s primary role is to protect audiences from inappropriate content, it’s also important to allow filmmakers the freedom to tell their stories without interference.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding ‘Murderbaad’ is a complex one that highlights the challenges of censoring films in a democratic country like India. While the CBFC’s primary role is to protect audiences from inappropriate content, it’s also important to allow filmmakers the freedom to tell their stories without interference. It’s up to the CBFC to strike a balance between these two competing interests, and it’s up to audiences to decide whether the board’s guidelines are effective in achieving this goal.
