Censor board behaving like the Taliban: Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj

Mar 21,2015

Mumbai, March 21 (IANS) His unabashed use of abuses and rustic lingo in his films has always added to the power of his cinema. National Award winning filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj has reacted strongly to diktats on film content, saying that the Central Board of Film Certification is behaving like the Taliban and that the body should be "chopped off".

In an interview with IANS, the multi-talented Bhardwaj - a writer, singer, composer, director and producer - spoke uninhibitedly about the curb on filmmakers' creativity.

The debate on censorship guidelines has been on for a long time, but it was a list of cuss words to be banned from films - as suggested by the CBFC under filmmaker Pahlaj Nihalani's chairmanship - that added fuel to the fire.

Bhardwaj says that while Indian films are "moving towards international recognition", the government should exercise a limit on the CBFC's power to curb the "art form" that is cinema.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: Do you feel that Indian cinema is getting recognised globally?

A: Yes, we are really moving towards international recognition... We are in the best of times at the moment. The line between commercial and arthouse cinema has blurred. Today we have films like 'The Lunchbox' and 'Badlapur' doing such great business... we have audience for each and every kind of film.

Q: But hasn't Bollywood become stereotypical in its scripts?

A: The whole cinema should not be called stereotyped. Stories of films like 'Badlapur' and 'Haider' are totally different and unique from what we have seen till now. In fact, we are breaking the stereotype image of our cinema.

But, if we talk about commercial cinema, that will remain stereotyped.

Q: The Indian entertainment industry has been facing a backlash for its content -- whether it's the AIB Roast, Aamir Khan's 'PK' controversy or the CBFC's announcement regarding the words that should be omitted from films. Don't you feel Indian filmmakers are being dominated?

A: It's really sad what is happening right now. The Censor Board is behaving like a Taliban. They should be censored and chopped. They censor our films, they should be chopped first. They should know their limits...it's (film is) an art form.

They should be restricted by the government, and I hope that the Information and Broadcasting Ministry realises soon that film is a form of art. They are not only about 'gaana-bajaana' and 'nautanki'. That I&B ministry has to understand...their (the censor's) scissors should be snatched away and thrown into a valley.

Q. But don't abuses in films have a negative effect on the audience?

A. Why? When you use an abuse on the road, won't that have a negative effect on you? A film is the mirror of the reality and not vice versa. A film doesn't create reality, it just reflects reality.

Either the government makes a rule that people shouldn't abuse on road. Then we will feel that the government wants to change the character of the nation. If the government really wants to make a change, then they should consider abusing behind the camera as a crime too. The society should change, not films, because filmmakers only show what all is happening in the society.

If we make a film on Kabir (poet), will people start speaking couplets on the road? If not, then how will they start abusing after watching films?

We have a culture and society where people abuse on roads...we have a style...when two friends meet, even they abuse each other...So now, are we going to make an Afghanistan out of India, or what (with the Censor Board's diktats)?

(Sandeep Sharma can be contacted at sandeep.s@ians.in)

Tags:

Censor board behaving like the Taliban: Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj Vishal Bhardwaj in news news about Vishal Bhardwaj

Priyanka Chopra: Kareena, who was the enemy in 'Aitraaz', praised Priyanka, wrote- 'Made to rule the world'

Jul 18,2025

Priyanka Chopra is celebrating her 43rd birthday today, i.e. on 18th July. On this special occasion, the actress has been congratulated by her film 'Aitraaz' co-star Kareena Kapoor in a different style. Kareena shared an old picture of an award show on Instagram Stories and wrote that Priyanka w

Vidyut Jamwal: Vidyut Jamwal is ready for his Hollywood debut, will play a strong role in this film

Jul 15,2025

Actor Vidyut Jamwal, known for his action, is now going to make his entry in a Hollywood film. He has joined the star cast of the live-action film 'Street Fighter'. It is a film based on an iconic video game franchise.Vidyut's Hollywood entryAccording to a Deadline report, Vidyut will be seen i

Vijay Deverakonda: New update on Vijay Deverakonda's film, Kingdom's new release date will be announced today

Jul 07,2025

Vijay Deverakonda has joined hands with famous director Gautam Tinnanuri for the action drama film 'Kingdom'. There is a lot of excitement about the film since its announcement. The recently released teaser has further increased the expectations of the fans. The new release date of the f

Dhurandhar's heroine Sara Arjun's father is also a top Bollywood actor, and has worked with Shah Rukh and Aamir.

Jul 07,2025

Sara Arjun, a well-known child artist of Indian cinema, is now going to rock the big screen with Ranveer Singh, who is 20 years older. A small glimpse of Sara in the first look of the Dhurandhar movie filled the audience with excitement.Ever since Dhurandhar was announced, it was believed

Panchayat 5: Now there will be a fight for the post of Deputy Pradhan in Phulera, the makers announced 'Panchayat 5'; know the update

Jul 07,2025

Last month, on June 24, the fourth season of 'Panchayat' was released on Amazon Prime, which the audience is loving a lot. However, in this season, Manju Devi loses the election of Pradhani, which disappointed the audience. Now everyone is waiting to see what will happen in its fifth season. See

This flop film's luck changed as soon as it came on OTT, got included in the top list.

Jun 30,2025

The year 2025 has proved to be lucky for most of the Big Star films. At the same time, the story of some stars' movies was not liked on the big screen. Today we are talking about a film that proved to be a flop at the box office, but when the movie knocked on OTT, it got immense love. Let us know

Harshvardhan Rane: The poster of Harshvardhan Rane's upcoming film was released, actor was seen covered in blood; Know the name of the movie

Jun 30,2025

Actor Harshvardhan Rane, who won everyone's heart with the film 'Sanam Teri Kasam', is now going to be seen in a great film, whose poster and title have been revealed. Recently, the actor was seen preparing for this upcoming film. Let's know about this film.The first look of the film releasedT

Panchayat 4: Neena Gupta is known not only for Manju Devi of Panchayat but also for these characters

Jun 26,2025

Recently 'Panchayat 4' has been released on OTT. This series is getting a lot of love from the audience. In this, actress Neena Gupta has played the character of Manju Devi, who is the head of Phulera village. She is very much in the news at this time. Know about those films and web seri