Round 2 with the censors
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 26, 2014)

More than a year after its release, Nikhil Advani's D-Day went back to the censors on Tuesday. afternoon. In response to a PIL filed by social activist Teena Sharma, the Delhi High Court, in an unprecedented move, asked the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to review the certification of the film which focused on the Indian intelligence agency RAW's (Research and Analysis Wing) operations in Pakistan.

The film was cleared with a U/A certificate, before its July 2013 release, by former CBFC CEO Pankaja Thakur, reportedly in collaboration with Kanika Dang, one of the actors in the film. After its release, Teena approached the court to contest the certification, arguing that the film featured adult content. A year later, the court has sent D-Day back to the CBFC for a review, in the presence of the film's producer Vivek Rangachari.

While the Delhi Regional Officer who presided over the review refrained from stating whether the certification has been changed, Rangachari claimed, "The film has retained the U/A certificate. But yes, there are three to four points in the film where new cuts have been made." And what are they? "Rishi Kapoor's foul language had to be edited out," he admitted.

Rishi played Iqbal Seth, a character reportedly modelled on Dawood Ibrahim, one of India's most wanted criminals.

When contacted, Teena said that if the film retains its U/A certificate, she will move court again. "If the Delhi High Court demanded that the CBFC should see the film again, isn't it clear that my concerns were legitimate? If need be, I shall request the intervention of CBI," she asserted. A source close to the development pointed out that the producer will now try to sell the satellite rights so that he can make a quick buck. "If he gets an A certificate, the price will drop," added the source.