Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; January 31, 2016)

The Manoj Bajpayee and Rajkummar Rao-starrer Aligarh is fighting a double battle with the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification). Firstly, the film's trailer, which is rated 'A', is only being allowed to screen with 'A' rated movies in theatres and post 11 pm on television. Secondly, the Examining Committee is certifying the film 'A', besides suggesting some cuts. Director Hansal Mehta is livid with their ruling and believes the film should get a 'U/A' rating.

Sources in the Censor Board tell us that they have asked the filmmakers to remove the Hindi expletives. “A few English abuses have been retained and so have the kisses in the movie. The filmmakers have been asked to tone down the court scene in which Manoj is yawning and sleeping as it is contempt of court,“ says our source. Unhappy with the cuts, Hansal will approach the FCAT (Film Certification Appellate Tribunal) with his case.

Terming the suggested cuts 'illogical', the director says, “They're trying to convey that by allowing a couple of kisses and abusive words, they are being liberal. It's ridiculous to think that Manoj sleeping in the court is 'contempt of court'. Wasn't Sunny Deol as a lawyer banging the bench in the taareekh pe taareekh scene (in Damini) contempt of court? All the ridiculous court scenes in most of our films are more 'contempt of court' than ours.“

Hansal is currently working with his lawyers to build his case for the FCAT. “We're preparing our argument. I'm not giving up the fight. If needed, I will organise a protest. And that protest will be awkward for the people trying to hamper the film's release,“ he conclude.
-------------------------
Subhash K Jha (DNA; January 31, 2016)

The very poignant trailer of Hansal Mehta’s Aligarh, the film chronicling the tragic life of the gay professor Dr Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras has been granted an ‘Adults’ certificate by the Central Board Of Film Certification (CBFC). And Mehta is fuming, “Does Mr Nihalani realise how much damage he is causing my film? I cannot screen my trailer with any film in the the theatres that has a ‘U’ or a ‘U/A’ certificate. Considering that most of the films in the coming weeks are for all ages, what am I supposed to do? I can’t even show my trailer on television before 10 pm.”

Continuing his tirade against what he sees as an unjust and arbitrary decision Mehta says, “What does one say about such an arbitrary, unjustified and downright stupid certification? It only proves that Section 377 or not we live in a society that is homophobic and our art/culture scene is governed by insensitive prudes. Revoking 377 is great but changing these stupid mindsets is the purpose of films like Aligarh. Honestly, I expect nothing better from this lot in CBFC. All these committees and meetings with the industry are an eyewash.”

Says the Aligarh writer Apurva Asrani, “It is a homophobic move by the CBFC. They allow stereotypical gay characters, who ‘dry hump’ other men, to appear in sex comedy trailers on prime time TV. But a dignified teacher and poet like the Aligarh protagonist, Dr Siras, has been locked out. Our trailer cannot be screened with most films releasing in the next few weeks, as they have a U or U/A certificate. The government is muting our artistic voice through the CBFC. If the viewer is denied a clean, dignified and thought provoking true-life story like ours, but forced to watch bouncing breasts and penile jokes on day time TV, there is something seriously wrong with the people we elected to power. I urge people reading this to find our trailer on YouTube and share it widely, using the #ComeOut hashtag. Our freedom to choose is being challenged.”

In defence of the CBFC censor chief Pahlaj Nihalani says, “Mr Mehta forgets, homosexuality is unconstitutional in the country. I am not the one who makes the laws. I am asked to follow guidelines. And the guidelines clearly state that all content relating to sexual topics are not to be certified for under-age viewing.”