Are filmmakers being silenced by Arbitrary Censorship?

Recent actions by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) have ignited a debate on censorship within the Indian film industry. The board's demands for alterations in films like "Janaki V/S State of Kerala" and "Sitaare Zameen Par" have raised concerns about the artistic freedom of filmmakers.

A Name That Sparked Controversy

The Malayalam film "Janaki V/S State of Kerala," featuring Anupama Parameswaran and Suresh Gopi, faced censorship hurdles just before its scheduled release. The CBFC objected to the protagonist's name, Janaki, deeming it inappropriate due to its association with the Goddess Sita. The decision was made without any formal written notice, prompting criticism.

B Unnikrishnan, the general secretary of FEFKA, questioned whether all Hindu names derived from deities would face censorship. He pointed out that his own telefilm, featuring a character named Janaki, had previously received CBFC approval.

This isn't the first instance of censorship related to character names. Director M B Padmakumar experienced similar resistance regarding a character named Janaki in his film "Token Number." The CBFC suggested alternative names without divine connotations, and the film was only approved after the name was changed.

CBFC's Micro-Management of Creative Choices

The CBFC's intervention in "Sitaare Zameen Par," starring Aamir Khan and Genelia Deshmukh, highlights the issue of political influence in creative decisions.

Bollywood Hungama reported that the Revising Committee, headed by Vaman Kendre, suggested the following changes:

• Replace "Businesswoman" with "Businessperson."
• Replace "Michael Jackson" with "Lovebirds."
• Remove a visual element linked to "Kamal" (interpreted as the BJP party symbol).
• Include a quote by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the opening disclaimer.

These demands raise questions about the CBFC's role in prescribing political messages in fictional narratives. Despite these interventions, "Sitaare Zameen Par" received a U/A 13+ certificate and was released on June 20, but at what cost to artistic freedom?

Are Certain Narratives Being Silenced?

The increasing number of such incidents raises concerns about the potential scrutiny faced by upcoming films exploring sensitive mythological or historical subjects.

For example, Nitesh Tiwari's "Ramayana," starring Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi, could face objections regarding the depiction of Sita's trials, such as her abduction and Agnipariksha.

Will the CBFC raise objections to how Sita’s trials are depicted? Will they argue that showing her as a victim undermines her divinity? If using a name like Janaki is already contentious, what of a film that retells her entire journey, including the injustices she faced?

This concern is particularly relevant in the current sociopolitical climate, where identity, religion, and ideology are intertwined. As Satyajit Ray said, "Cinema’s job is not to provide answers, but to ask the right questions." It is crucial for the CBFC to respect this principle.