‘Babumoshai Bandookbaaz’ cleared by FCAT with less than 10 voluntary cuts

Before Pahlaj Nihalani’s term as the chief of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) was ended, the last film to undergo his scissors was Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer ‘Babumoshai Bandookbaaz’. The Board not only gave as many as 48 cuts along with an ‘A’ certificate, but producer Kiran Shroff was reportedly humiliated for her attire and was questioned as to how she could, being a woman, make ‘such a film’ (Read: a film with sufficient sexual sequences).

Following this, the makers approached Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT), which has now passed the film with 7-8 voluntary cuts. (Also Read: Nawazuddin Siddiqui is all set to release his autobiography soon)

“The order could have been passed by August 5 or 6. It was stuck because Pahlaj, who, in a last ditch attempt to stop the film from releasing, wrote a letter to the FCAT, stating that we had shown two different versions of the film to the board and the tribunal. He had even asked the tribunal to bar us from suggesting voluntary cuts. However, we provided technical proof that Pahlaj’s claims were false and that strengthened our case. The tribunal has reprimanded the CBFC and its then chief for it,” director Kushan Nandy told TOI.

“I will not let this go. There’s substantial proof that Pahlaj tried to settle personal vendetta. My lawyer is looking into the matter and we’ll figure what legal recourse to take,” he added.

‘Babumoshai Bandookbaaz’ stars actress Bidita Bag as the female lead, and will hit the the theatres on August 25.

Ranjini Maitra

Journalist. Writer. Reader. Enthu cutlet. Mood-swing machine. Day dreamer. Sandwiched between ‘live life fully’ and ‘lose some weight’. Mantra of life: Love and love more.