The Madhya Pradesh high court on Monday issued notices to actor Kangana Ranaut, the Centre, censor board and others on a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the screening of her upcoming Hindi film Emergency on the ground it contains scenes that violate fundamental rights of Sikhs.
The CBI has lodged an FIR against three persons and unidentified officials of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) over the allegations of actor Vishal that he had to pay Rs 6.5 lakh to get a certificate for his film Mark Antony, officials said on Thursday.
On Thursday, September 28, 2023, Tamil star Vishal Krishna opened a Pandora's box by releasing a video where he alleges that a staffer at the Central Board Of Film Certification in Mumbai allegedly asked him for Rs 650,000 before issuing a censor certificate for the Hindi version of his Tamil blockbuster Mark Antony.
As the Queen star found herself in the middle of a row, with the BJP distancing itself and the Congress attacking it, here's a look at some of the controversies, political and otherwise.
Film certification guidelines need contemporary interpretation and should be as non-discretionary as possible, Information and Broadcasting minister Arun Jaitley said on Saturday as he met the government-appointed Shyam Benegal panel to look into the revamp of Censor Board, in Mumbai.
"Maintaining law and order is not our job. That is the job of the state. Prayer rejected," the bench said while refusing to accord urgent hearing on the fresh plea filed by lawyer M L Sharma.
The Board has decided to give a UA certificate to the film.
Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut says she was forced to sell off her property in Mumbai after the release of directorial venture Emergency was postponed due to delay in getting a censor certificate.
'As the film was suppose to release on December 1, there are over 50 countries where this process (of certification) is on.'
It has been given an 'A' certificate, thereby cutting off a major chunk of Prabhas' fans: Kids.
'Our culture and faith is glorious, intricate and nuanced. And we have to be careful that it does not get defined by trivia which takes the focus away from the real and the true.'
A vacation bench comprising Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Justice Shree Prakash Singh was hearing separate petitions of Kuldeep Tiwari and Naveen Dhawan seeking a ban on the movie.
Will this team of 12 change the way films are certified in India?
'The sacrifice made by Queen Padmini is a matter of pride for the state,' Raje said.
The film has nothing objectionable or derogatory, the court said after watching it, and allowed its release on streaming platform Netflix.
One of its lovemaking sequences, featuring the film's leading man Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh, has triggered off an uproar.
'Just Mamata Didi. And it was a pleasant reference, not a nasty one.'
The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain for a third time a petition challenging the CBFC certification granted to controversial movie The Kerala Story, saying courts must be very careful while staying exhibition of films.
According to the apex court, the disclaimer should say that 'there is no authenticated data to back up the suggestion on figure of conversion and the film represents the fictionalised version'.
The 'Indira Gandhi award for best debut film' and the 'Nargis Dutt award for best feature film on national integration' have been retitled with the names of the late prime minister and legendary actor being dropped as part of a raft of changes for the National Film Awards, according to a notification.
'Nobody has given you (CBFC) the intellectual morality and authority to decide what one wants to watch and see,' the court said.
The screenwriter said every 'dharma' (religion) should have its own censor board.
Parliament proceedings were adjourned for the day on Monday following protests by the opposition which has been demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the House on the Manipur issue. In the Rajya Sabha, the opposition kept insisting on a discussion under Rule 267 of the House.
The committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday.
The Kerala high court on Friday refused to stay the release of the controversial multi-lingual film The Kerala Story and said the trailer does not contain anything offensive to any particular community as a whole.
'You don't want to see the film, don't see it. I want to see the film. Why are you stopping me?' asks Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner Asha Parekh.
Uday Mahurkar, Information Commissioner, government of India, wrote an open letter to Nolan, terming the scene a "disturbing attack on Hinduism" and appealed to the director to remove the scene worldwide.
The Gujarat unit of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Tuesday withdrew its protest against Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Pathaan, a day before its release, expressing satisfaction over the removal of 'objectionable' contents from the film.
The film, which was released on May 5, has kicked up a political storm.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra was informed that the film has not yet received the certification from the Central Board of Film 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.'
'I hope I am remembered as the CBFC chairperson who took a firm stand against vulgarity and pseudo-liberalism, no matter how unpopular it made me,' Pahlaj Nihalani tells Subhash K Jha.
'What is being proposed today is completely draconian.' Payal Singh Mohanka on the I&B ministry's plan to amend the Cinematograph Act.
The producers of Padmavati held a special screening for a few journalists.
'Everybody knows about Prasoon Joshi's friendship with Aamir Khan.' 'No one is surprised that Thugs Of Hindostan was given an all-clear censor certification out of turn.'
'Apart from Satya -- which was a very good film -- Manoj Bajpayee has not featured in any hit in the 10-12 years of his career. Who is he to talk about my career? He should worry about his own.' CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani lashes out.
The Supreme Court on Friday sought replies of the West Bengal and Tamil Nadu governments on a plea of the producers of The Kerala Story challenging the ban in the two states.
'The film has not even been submitted for censoring as yet,' says a CBFC source.
"When matter is pending for CBFC's consideration, how can persons holding public offices comment on whether CBFC should issue certificate or not? It'll prejudice decision making of CBFC... All concerned people, holding responsible posts must be guided by rule of law and shouldn't venture into passing comments on films which haven't been cleared by CBFC. It'll prejudice minds of board members while taking a decision," a Supreme Court bench hearing the plea observed.
