Subhash K Jha (DNA; September 19, 2016)


The Central Board of Film Certification has not only lauded the film for its content, but also shown tremendous liberality by leaving the film’s powerful, sometimes disturbing content untouched.

Says the film’s producer Aseem Bajaj (cinematographer and the film’s director Leena’s husband), “The board has passed the film for ‘Adults Only’ with just a few cuts. We are very grateful to CBFC. They’ve shown immense empathy, sensitivity and generosity towards Parched.”

Apparently, there were two women members in the jury of the Censor Board who were moved to tears by the film. Says Aseem, “They were reluctant to cut anything except a shot of a bare breast. They said it (a breast) does not jell with the Indian audiences’ sensibility. We were okay with that. They gave us the option of removing or blurring the breast. We chose the latter option.”

The Censor Board has also objected to some abusive language. That too was willingly removed. Adds Aseem. “There were scenes showing little boys using abusive language. The board members felt it was not needed. We agreed to remove the abuses and the breast shot as they in no way affected our storytelling.”

Aseem feels the Censor Board is a much-maligned entity and says, “In my experience they are fair and just and doing their jobs to the best of their abilities.”