New Delhi: The Central Board of Film Certification has directed the makers of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer ‘Pathaan’ to make “changes” to the film and its songs in accordance with the Board’s guidelines, its chairperson Prasoon Joshi said on Thursday.

Though the nature of changes could not be ascertained, sources familiar with the certification process told TOI that it is likely that the suggested changes may be related to the alleged display of “obscenity/ nudity” in the film, rather than the use of the saffron colour, over which one of the film’s songs had courted controversy after it was released this month.

The CBFC (Censor Board) is understood to have asked Yash Raj Films to submit a revised version of the spy action thriller before its scheduled release in theatres on January 25 next year. Deepika Padukone’s saffron bikini in the song ‘Besharam Rang’ had run foul of the right wing and minority groups in India. Joshi, however, maintained that CBFC’s task is to strike a balance between the filmmakers’ creativity and the audiences’ sentiments and to accordingly find a solution.

“The film recently reached the CBFC examination committee for certification. The film went through the due and thorough examining process as per the CBFC guidelines. The committee has guided the makers to implement the advised changes in the film including the songs and submit the revised version prior to release,” he said.

Referring to Indian culture and faith as glorious, intricate and nuanced, Joshi added, “We have to be careful that it does not get defined by trivia which takes the focus away from the real and the true…The trust between creators and audience is most important to protect and the creators should keep working towards it.

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Following the controversy surrounding the Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone-starrer Pathaan, and the latter’s outfits in the song Besharam Rang, the Central Board of Film Certification has advised changes in the film, including the songs, and asked the makers to submit the revised version prior to its theatrical release.

Prasoon Joshi, Chairperson, CBFC, said, “Just to put all queries around the film Pathaan at rest, the film recently reached the CBFC examination committee for certification. The film went through the due examining process as per the CBFC guidelines. The committee has guided the makers to implement the advised changes in the film including the songs and submit the revised version prior to theatrical release. As far as costume colours are concerned, the committee has stayed unbiased. When the film comes out, the reflection of this balanced approach will be clear to everyone.”

When asked to elaborate on the rationality behind the suggested changes, Prasoon explained, “The makers have been advised to do modifications in the film with a balanced and holistic view as per the CBFC guidelines. We need to understand that the CBFC works under guidelines as per the Cinematograph Act and endeavours to do its best in certifying the films for the appropriate category. Certification as per the right category is important and the committee made sure thatdue care is taken in terms of the film’s age-appropriateness for the relevant category.”

Prasoon points out that there is a provision for the makers to voluntarily make changes to their film and further submit an agreed upon version. He added, “The CBFC is always committed to finding the right balance between creative expression and sensibility of the audience and believes that we can always find a solution through meaningful dialogue between all stakeholders. Whilst the process is getting duly followed and implemented, I must reiterate that our culture and faith is glorious, intricate and nuanced. And we have to be careful that it does not get defined by trivia which takes the focus away from the real and the true. And like I have said earlier as well, that the trust between creators and audience is most important to protect and the creators should keep working towards it so that there is little room for mistrust or misunderstanding.”