Raveena hits back at Censor Board as they refuse to certify her comeback film; producer approaches Revising Committee for help
MID-DAY (April 17, 2017)

Days after Anjum Rizvi secured permissions from the Cine and TV Artistes Association (CINTAA) to promote his next, Maatr, the film has found itself embroiled in another tussle, this time with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

The CBFC’s Examining Committee, under the leadership of chief Pahlaj Nihalani, has refused to certify the Raveena Tandon-starrer, owing to two gruesome scenes that the Board apparently deemed inappropriate for viewing. Sources say, both the sequences, one among which involves the rape of the protagonist’s daughter, feature within the first 10 minutes of the film. The committee apparently refused to watch the entire film after viewing these portions.

Criticising the Board for its decision, Raveena told mid-day, “The Censor Board is bound by archaic laws which need to change according to the current times. Maatr is a story that needs to be told. [We’ve had] enough of sugarcoating [of] harsh realities. [If this continues] we will remain indifferent to brutality, and rape will remain a taboo.”

Raveena’s comeback vehicle deals with a mother’s revenge after her daughter’s gruesome murder. Producer Anjum has now knocked on the doors of the Revising Committee, which is likely to give its verdict after watching the film this week. “I’m concerned, but hopeful that the Revising Committee will clear the film. This subject needs to be addressed through cinema. The Board will understand it.” he says.

Should the film be rejected by the Revising Committee, the makers can approach the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) for help. Last week, mid-day had reported that the FCAT was apparently set to ask the makers of Lipstick Under My Burkha to implement certain edits in the film. Producer Prakash Jha approached the tribunal after the CBFC rejected the film.