MUMBAI MIRROR (September 30, 2015)

After 218 cuts Grand Masti has been re-certified for unrestricted public exhibition. Indra Kumar's adult comedy film features Vivek Oberoi, Aftab Shivdasani and Riteish Deshmukh in the lead.

The submission was made in an affidavit filed on behalf of the Centre and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) before a bench of the Delhi High Court, which was hearing a PIL filed by Edara Gopi Chand seeking a stay on the exhibition of the film on TV.

An application has also been filed by a media network, seeking permission to air the movie on one of its channels after the court had on August 21 stayed the television premiere of the film saying it is not certified for unrestricted public exhibition and so cannot be televised under the Cable Network Regulation Act. In a joint affidavit, CBFC has said that the movie was re-certified with a U/A certificate in January after 218 cuts, which reduced the 135-minute long theatrical version to 98 minutes. The applicant submitted 217 voluntary cuts, including double meaning and obscene visuals and dialogues, derogatory towards, or degrading women in any manner. "After carefully examining the film, the committee felt that it is now suitable for viewing by U/A audience. The conversion was done as per the practice for movies with an A certificate," CBFC has said in its affidavit, while seeking dismissal of the petition.

The media group in its plea seeking a lift of the stay on telecast, pointed out that it has suffered financial losses following the restriction. It argued that it had purchased the telecast rights for Rs 4 crore and further invested a substantial amount on advertisement.

Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; January 22, 2015)

About 17 months after its theatrical release, Indra Kumar’s sex comedy Grand Masti might get a television screening soon — but with some riders. Regional officer of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Rahul Vaidya has sent a showcause notice to the makers asking them to effect 218 cuts for small screen viewing.

A board official says, “They have been asked to resubmit the film after making the suggested cuts.
Only then will a decision on the certification of the film be taken.”

In December 2013, Kumar had applied to the board to clear his Rs 100-crore film with a U/A certificate so that it could be premiered on television. A source from the CBFC says, “With 218 cuts, one wonders how much of the film will be left. The board may pass the film with the requested certification but only if the recommended cuts and modifications are accommodated.”

The filmmaker says the process of deleting the scenes is already underway. Meanwhile, the makers have already announced Phir Grand Masti with Riteish Deshmukh, Aftab Shivdasani and Vivek Oberoi. The film will mark Riteish’s comeback to the sex comedy genre.

Cut out for the tube
>> 'The Dirty Picture': 100 cuts
>> 'Gangs of Wasseypur': 100 cuts
>> 'Delhi Belly': 20 cuts

Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 3, 2013)

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) was in a quandary when Jannat, Delhi Belly and The Dirty Picture came up for re-certification for a satellite release. It’s the same situation again now that Indra Kumar’s double-entendre loaded Grand Masti, which hit the theatres in September, wants a TV premiere.

A few days ago Kumar sent a letter to the Board requesting that the film be cleared with a U/A certificate, so that he can screen it on national television.

A senior member of the CBFC told Mirror that the filmmaker reserves the right to submit his film for clearance since he is looking to sell the satellite rights for a profit, now that his film has grossed 100 crores.“It’s business after all, but we’re wondering what will be left of the film after we have re-examined it. Almost every scene will be scissored out,” said the Censor member.

Ekta Kapoor’s The Dirty Picture was screened on tv only after the I & B Ministry intervened and was given almost 50 cuts.

Mahesh Bhatt edited out all the ‘objectionable content’ from Jannat 2, but the CBFC still maintained that the film wasn’t fit for primetime viewership.

Delhi Belly, has yet to be shown on TV even though it was re-edited, re-dubbed and its satellite rights sold to Sahara.

A source admitted that it’s not going to be easy for Grand Masti to get the go-ahead for home viewing even if Indra Kumar came up with his own cuts.

The producer-director confirmed that he had sent a letter for recertification to CBFC and said: “We have started working but I can’t I tell you how much of the original film will remain till we start making modifications.”