Don’t know if it’s right or wrong: Amitabh Bachchan on CBFC functioning

Steering clear of passing any judgement on Central Board of Film Certification’s recent decisions, megastar Amitabh Bachchan says the CBFC works according to the clause set by the government.

The board and especially its chief Pahlaj Nihalani have been in the soup for their decisions be it proposing a list of 28 banned words, demanding cuts in films like “NH 10”, “Dum Laga Ke Haisha” and “Angry Indian Goddesses” or shortening the kissing scenes in James Bond movie “Spectre”.

“I will not be able to make comment on it. I don’t know whether it is right or wrong. They all work according to certain stipulations that is set by Government of India,” Bachchan said in an interview here, when asked if he feels stifled as an artist due to the working of CBFC.

The 73-year-old “Piku” star said if one does not agree with the cuts made by the board, they have the right to challenge it.

“If you disagree with the decision there are various platforms where you can fight your case. It is like legal system. If you don’t agree you can go to commission, tribunal level, again if you don’t agree you go to High Court. Further you can go to Supreme Court,” he said.

“If there are rules and regulations set by the government in a democratic society and in a constitution such as ours, every individual has the right to challenge it provided it is legally accepted.”

When asked about his take on the new committee formed by the government to revamp the censor board, Bachchan said, “Whatever rules are decided we will have to follow them,” he added.

The panel, headed by Shyam Benegal, would submit its report in two months. It also includes filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, adman Piyush Pandey and film critic Bhawana Somaaya.

Inputs By PTI