The Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) has refused to clear the 2019 film, Joker, for telecast with a U/A certificate. The Joaquin Phoenix-starrer (who received the Academy Award for Best Actor in a leading role for the film) has been given an ‘A’ certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). An I&B official said, “If a film has been granted ‘A’ certificate, it means that the film will not be telecast on TV. For a film to be telecast, it needs to get U/A or U certificate.”

After the CBFC’s decision, broadcasting and production company, Turner International India Pvt Ltd appealed to the FCAT on August 8 regarding refusal for certification for satellite viewing of Joker. The CBFC held that the film was suitable for only restricted public exhibition. Refusing all viewing certificate, the CBFC reasoned, saying, “The film has a dark, disturbing and extremely violent theme and narrative, surrounding a character with mental illness.”

The CBFC added that the storyline, especially the climax, tends to justify violence and criminal behaviour by the protagonist (who’s playing the antihero), and is not likely to be suitable for children. “The film may also create a lasting impression (of fear) in the minds of children about people with the slightest of mentally irrational and ill behaviours.” Citing its guidelines, the CBFC rejected the film for children’s’ viewing.

The FCAT bench of Manmohan Sarin, (Chairperson), and members Madhu Jain and Shekhar Iyer, agreed with the CBFC’s reasoning. In its order, the FCAT stated that the mental complexities projected (in Joker) would appear to be difficult for non-adults to comprehend. Its order states, “We are of the view that considering all relevant factors of the movie has been rightly certified for ‘A’ viewing only, and is unfit for universal satellite viewing. In these circumstances, we find no merit in the appeal.”