Telangana HC: No urgency to examine Varma film
Mr Varma said he would suffer heavy losses if the film is not certified by the Censor Board on Thursday.
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Thursday said it did not find any ground or urgency to direct the Censor Board to examine the film Kamma Rajyamlo Kadapa Reddlu early.
Filmmaker Penmasta Ram-gopal Varma had told the court that he was ready to change the name of the movie if the Censor Board certified it before Friday, when it is scheduled to release.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Raghavendra Singh Chauhan and Justice A. Abhishek Reddy pointed out lapses in Mr Varma’s contentions, like not mentioning the reason the court should give directions based on his prayer.
The bench directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to examine Kamma Rajyamlo Kadapa Reddlu in a week and consider the grievances raised by the some of the petitioners that the film was made to defame one caste and particularly some persons.
“If the board feels that the movie or title or any scene will precipitate the sensitivities in the communities, the board has the right to direct the movie-makers to change not only the title but also the scenes,” the court said.
Mr Varma had moved an urgent petition before the court through his counsel Durga Prasad, seeking a direction to the Censor Board to examine the film and take a decision on issuing certification.
Mr Varma said he would suffer heavy losses if the film is not certified by the Censor Board on Thursday.
Reacting to Mr Varma’s contentions, the bench observed that the producer was not doing anyone a favour by changing the name. “If the Censor Board suggests, it is the bounden duty of any movie-maker to change the title and even portions of the movie when it is objectionable,” the bench said.
“You said that you will sustain a heavy loss if it is not examined early, but you did not mention what loss you will suffer, what is the nature of loss,” the Chief Justice told Mr Varma’s counsel.
Recalling Rule 41 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, which gives the Censor Board 68 days to certify a film, the court said it would not go beyond the rules to direct the board to examine the film early.
Disposing of another petition filed against the film, which claimed that the filmmaker intended to defame Telugu Desam leaders, the bench said that they have every right to take recourse to legal remedy.