IFFI Filmmaker stands up to Censor Board decree over cuts
Press Trust Of India, Thu-24-Nov-2011, Panaji
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Panaji, Nov 24 (PTI) A short film, based on the hero
of Indian national movement Bhagat Singh, is likely to be
dropped from screening at the International Film Festival of
India (IFFI) by its director as it ran into trouble with the
Censor Board for the 'anti national' contents.
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The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), has
suggested nine cuts in 'Inklab', a short film by
Chandigarh-based filmmaker Gaurav Chhabra, saying its contents
are anti-national.
Chhabra has defended his portrayal and has refused to
budge.
The short film, inspired by the landmark Assembly
bombing by Bhagat Singh in 1929, was part of the Short Film
Centre and was short-listed by the Entertainment Society of
Goa (ESG) to be showcased at IFFI 2011.
When contacted, the ESG officials said they were told
by the filmmaker that "he might drop the film due to censor
board issues".
Chhabra, quoting his communication with the CBFC, has
said that the board has refused him certificate saying the
film violates section 5 B of the Cinematographic Act 1952.
The section bars a movie with visuals or words
promoting communal, obscurantist, anti-scientific and
anti-national sentiments.
Chhabra said the CBFC letter has come as a "rude
shock" for him.
"Film (Inklab) is a direct result of my personal
learning in the field of social-activism over last five
years...and it advocates the use Constitutional tools like
right to information, freedom of speech, peaceful protests
among others for bringing about a holistic social change in
society," the 32-year-old doctor-turned-filmmaker and activist
said.
The film which was screened at many film festivals in
the country was shot at historic Dwaarka Das Library relocated
to Chandigarh post partition from Lahore, where Bhagat Singh
used to spend time reading books on Russian, Irish revolutions
and socialism, Chhabra said.
Dubbing the CBFC suggestions as "uncalled for" and
"invalid," the director said "the cuts prescribed by the CBFC
chop off selectively the talks about corruption in
contemporary politics".
These talks represent average discussions on
contemporary news among today's youth. Chopping such scenes is
only in the interest of "corrupt politicians" and not in
interest of "politics" and "public in general", he said.
'Inklab' produced little before anti-graft movement
spearheaded by Anna Hazare gathered steam, focuses on the fact
that even today the youth are fighting for their rights all
around the world and voice of poor is still being oppressed.
Chhabra's earlier films on environment and health have
won global awards in 2007 and 2010.
Inklab is submitted to around 36 film festivals across
the globe and has been selected in all the three prominent
festivals, namely the International Film Festival of
Ahmedabad, the IFFI, Goa and the Third Eye Asian Film
Festival, Mumbai. PTI
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