Scissors instill fear in filmmakers!

Of late, many Tamil films are facing the wrath of the Regional Censor Board, that is refusing to certify movies, and is demanding several cuts as in the case of films like Saaindhadu and Metro. Thanks to the recent verdict by Mumbai High Court, which cleared Udta Punjab that was mired in problems with the CBFC. The court observed that the Censor Board could only certify, not censor films.

Now, Anand Krishnan and Kahzhali, directors of Metro and Saaindhadu respectively, speak to DC about their horrific experiences with the RCB. Metro has Shrish and Maya in the lead, and Bobby Simha playing a role with negative shades. Says Anand, “I didn’t expect that my film will get rejected by Censors. They cited the reason that there was too much violence and that may incite youngsters into taking up crime, and was therefore unfit for screening. However, Metro is not only about chain-snatching but there are several other segments, and has a message for society. In addition, when I talk about chain-snatching, I need to detail it as how they plan, how the guys’ mentality works, etc. I didn’t force violence in the film, but only the amount, which the script demanded. When it went for revising committee, I had to wait for 50 days and it was nightmarish and torturous. Thankfully, it was veteran Gangai Amaren sir from the committee who understood our plight and finally gave it an ‘A’ Certification without any cut”.

On the other hand, Ghazhali who has directed the medical thriller Saaindhadu with Adharsh and Anu Krishna in the lead had a different experience to narrate. “The RCB scheduled a time for the screening but never turned up. They later made me run after them and finally watched after five days. The Censor Officer Madhiyazhagan asked me ‘how did you say that this film can be watched by children? I asked him back ‘what makes you say this?’ Then started the ego problem. Then we can give only ‘A’ certificate, he said, and that too after editing ten crucial scenes and if I do that the film would lose its sheen. I was petrified, but he was not bothered. He said, ‘We might have to think whether to certify the movie at all’ and walked out. Though we were at huge financial losses, we still opted to send it to revising committee.  And there Gangai Amaren being a creator himself was kind enough to award us U/A with few cuts only.”