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Prasoon Joshi: No cuts in Padmavat

January 01, 2018 09:55 IST

'This was an unprecedented and tough situation.'
'I am glad that following a balanced approach we resolved the task at hand in a pragmatic and positive manner.'

Deepika Padukone in and as Padmavati

Prasoon Joshi, chairman, Central Board of Film Certification, discusses the Padmavat controversy with Subhash K Jha.

 

Are there numerous cuts as a few media houses are saying?

Incorrect. There are no cuts suggested in this film by CBFC -- only five modifications.

These are as follows:

Have these changes being agreed to by the film-makers?

Yes, these are completely in agreement with the film-makers -- the producers and director of the film.

When was the film seen by the CBFC?

The viewing took place late on the 28th December evening. I was present along with the examining committee members and the special panel. A long discussion ensued post the screening which the film-makers were met as well.

Why a special panel?

Considering the complexities and concerns around the film the requirement for a special panel was felt by the CBFC to add perspective to the final decision of the CBFC official committee.

Also importantly, please also note: The film-makers, Bhansali Productions, in a written communication to the CBFC, themselves requested a special panel of historians/academicians and members of the Rajput community to view the film.

Is having a special panel a new precedent set by the CBFC?

Having a specialist panel at the CBFC has been done before. I can cite two examples: Aarkashan wherein an eminent panel representing a concerned group was created and also in case of Jodhaa Akbar wherein historical experts were called in.

Who were the people on the specialist panel?

The special panel consisted of Shri Arvind Singh from Udaipur, Dr Chandramani Singh and Professor K K Singh of Jaipur university.

The members of the panel had insights and also some reservations regarding the claimed historical events and socio-cultural aspects which were duly discussed at length

The decision and your comment on the UA certification.

This was an unprecedented and tough situation. I am glad that following a balanced approach we resolved the task at hand in a pragmatic and positive manner.

Subhash K Jha