'Bhagat Singh' objected due to anti-national comments
PTI, PANAJI | 24 November 2011 19:39 ISTA short film, based on the hero of Indian national movement Bhagat Singh, is likely to be dropped from screening at the IFFI by its director as it ran into trouble with the Censor Board for the 'anti-national' contents.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has suggested nine cuts in 'Inklab', a short film by Chandigarh-based filmmaker Gaurav Chhabra.
According to the Board juries, its content is 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.
"The 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.
