CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi slams Sanjay Leela Bhansali for film's private screening

New Delhi: Union Information and Broadcasting ministry is seemingly unhappy with the producers of controversial film Padmavati over their attempts to undermine the authority of the Central Board of Film Certification by securing extra constitutional approval for the movie by organising a special screening of the film for senior journalists and opinion makers.

The reaction of the government came after the producers of Padmavati organised special screening of the movie in Mumbai where several top journalists and opinion makers were invited. After watching the film several of them have tweeted about the movie which has drawn the ire of the ministry.

CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi also criticised the filmmakers’ decision. Mr Joshi said he was “disappointed” that it was being screened for the media and getting reviewed on national channels without CBFC having seen or certified it. “This compromises the role of systems that are part of a functioning industry. It’s myopic to treat the certification process haphazardly to suit convenience,” he said.

“On one hand, holding the CBFC responsible and pressurising to accelerate the process and on the other, attempt to subvert the same, sets an opportunistic precedent,” he said.