Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; October 17, 2014)

Barely two months after its CEO, Rakesh Kumar, was arrested on corruption charges, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), or the Censor Board, may find itself embroiled in a fresh controversy.

Going by the latest buzz, the Board’s newly appointed regional manager, Raju Vaidya and a few other members called their respective families to be photographed with Shah Rukh Khan at a SoBo theatre in contravention of set guidelines.

A source said, “At the censor screening of Happy New Year on Tuesday morning, family members of CBFC members were seen getting their pictures clicked with Shah Rukh Khan. This is against the rules of the Censor Board as the entire process of certification is confidential. No one except the members are allowed at the censor screening.”

Nandini Sardesai, a Board member, defended her colleagues, saying, “The family members met Shah Rukh only after the movie was screened. None of them even entered the theatre when the screening was on. The photographs were taken only after the certification was awarded to Farah Khan and Shah Rukh. So, no rules were ever flouted.”

While CBFC chairperson, Leela Samson did not revert to our mail, Vaidya did not wish to come on record.