About Films

Satya Prakash's POV

 Film :”KATHAKALI” is being killed by CBFC of Kerala.

CBFC denotes CENTRAL BOARD OF FILM CERTIFICATION that does not involve a cuss word “CENSOR”. Censor is a blasphemy sort of word for Film Maker in the world of constitutional democracy. CBFC ‘s main function is to see the film for certification and place the film either in “A”, “A/U” and “U” Category. Film makers are also educated and they understand about their art-creation in the form of film. After defeat in Mumbai High Court against Bollywood Film “Udta Punjab”, CBFC has axed on a Malayalam Movie “Kathakali”.

CBFC is losing its legal and moral sanctity to be good for Film Makers, Actors-actresses, technicians and more over for business of film. Such a CBFC board will kill the interest and enthusiasm of investors and producers to make films.

Kearala movie” Kathakali” has been directed by a young director Sijo whose world view is obviously different from the persons sitting in CBFC Board. Members of regional CBFC of Malayalam Cinema are not moving ahead with the pace of world. World is dramatized in film with facts and elements of reality. New and young directors are brilliantly fictionalizing the reality into fiction in more subtle way for audiences of Indian Cinema. The new approach of realistic Cinema is not being digested by members of CBFC that is more like a Moral Policing Board and they want films that may preach like the films of Rajshree productions. Such film makers are also prevalent and their films are welcome and well-received. All the films cannot alike. And film like “UDTA PUNJAB” is also being admired by audiences across the globe. The film is proximate to the drug menace of the Punjab. Illegal drug-business is being threatened by the film that has fictionalized in a grey light of victim of Punjab society to get rid of such pathetic condition.Many films of Film Makers have been shelved by Central Board of Film Certification and its regional offices. Nawazuddin starring film "Haramkhor"has not seen day of light because of objections of CBFC. It is surprising that the film has been made on corrupt education system that has been going on in each state of India and politicians lodge their protest over time and again but film on the same content irks them and CBFC.

The three important scenes of Malayalam film “Kathakali” have been ordered to delete by the regional center of CBFC in Kerala. The film deals with the aesthetic body- expose of protagonist Dasan is objectionable and CBFC has halted it from release. The protagonist “Dasan” is undressed and beaten by antagonist and in the climax of the film, Dasan removes the attire of Kathkali and walks towards river. The each scene of the film is logically progressing. The cuts will make the film irrelevant and illogical.

The young director Sijo says, “These scenes are soul of the film.” If soul ports out, human-being dies.

The film director Sijo is young and industrious with new world-view that will always be making a scintillating and confronting film that will churn thoughts of audiences to progress the society in cultural way.

CBFC must leave the act of controlling the idea otherwise this film “ KATHAKALI” will also go the court for release of the films. The Malyalam film fraternity is agitating against the antI-cinema –step of CBFC. I hope, entire Indian Cinema must support SIJO’S FILM “ Kathakali” without a single cut and a word.

I also subscribe the idea of release the Malaylam film “KATHAKALI”. Government of India must implement the recommendations of committee report headed by Film Maker Shyam Benegal

CBFC must provide certification to the films, not more than that.