CBFC Cuts Words like ‘Pradhan Mantri’ & ‘Chaiwala’ from Murderbaad
In a bizarre move, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has instructed the makers of the upcoming Bollywood film, Murderbaad, to edit out words such as “pradhan mantri” and “chaiwala” from a dialogue. The film’s director, Arnab Chatterjee, has expressed his disappointment and frustration with the decision, calling it an “absolutely benign joke” that was meant to be aspirational for the lower-middle class of the country.
Murderbaad, a thriller that explores the themes of crime and corruption, has been given an ‘A’ certification by the CBFC, but not before the Board demanded significant changes to the film’s script. Chatterjee, who has been vocal about his concerns with the CBFC’s decision, believes that the edit is unnecessary and will only serve to dilute the film’s impact.
According to reports, the dialogue in question features a character saying “Pradhan Mantri ko chaiwala banane ki zaroorat nahi hai” (There is no need to make a chaiwala the Prime Minister). The CBFC deemed this statement to be inappropriate and demanded that it be removed.
Chatterjee, in an interview with a leading news publication, expressed his disappointment and frustration with the CBFC’s decision. “It was absolutely benign joke, rather aspirational for lower-middle class of our country, and far away from any political stance,” he said. “We are not trying to make any political statement or promote any ideology. We are just trying to tell a story and entertain the audience.”
The director also pointed out that the CBFC has a history of overstepping its bounds and imposing its own moral and ideological values on filmmakers. “The CBFC has a tendency to over-edit and over-censor films, often without considering the context and intent behind the content,” he said. “This decision is a classic example of this.”
The CBFC’s decision to cut out the words “pradhan mantri” and “chaiwala” has raised questions about its motivations and the impact it will have on the film’s narrative. Some have argued that the edit is unnecessary and will only serve to dilute the film’s impact, while others have expressed concerns about the CBFC’s growing tendency to overstep its bounds.
The controversy surrounding Murderbaad is the latest in a long line of disputes between the CBFC and Bollywood filmmakers. In recent years, the Board has been criticized for its heavy-handed approach to censorship, with many films being edited to meet its standards.
In conclusion, the decision by the CBFC to cut out words like “pradhan mantri” and “chaiwala” from Murderbaad is a disappointing and unnecessary move that will only serve to dilute the film’s impact. As a country that prides itself on its vibrant film industry, it is imperative that we allow filmmakers to tell their stories without interference from the CBFC.
