Indian Central Board of Film Certification advises Pathaan filmmakers to make changes in Movie

BOLLYWOOD 29 Dec (Online): Amid ‘Besharam Rang’ row in India, Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone’s upcoming film Pathaan faces yet another challenge as the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) advised filmmakers to implement changes in the movie, including songs and submit a revised version for a certification.

According to The Indian Express, Prasoon Joshi, the chairperson of CBFC, in a statement said, “The film recently reached the CBFC examination committee for certification and went through the due and thorough examination process as per the board’s guidelines.”

The decision comes shortly after the first song from the film, ‘Besharam Rang’ was heavily criticised by BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra who believed the music video was “shot with a dirty mindset” and expressed he wants it fixed.

Now the chairperson of CBFC told Indian media, “Pathaan went through the due and thorough examining process as per the CBFC guidelines. The committee has guided the makers to implement the advised changes in the film (including the songs) and submit the revised version prior to theatrical release.”

Joshi said, “CBFC is always committed to finding the right balance between creative expression and sensibility of the audience, and believes that we can always find a solution through meaningful dialogue between all stakeholders. Whilst the process is getting duly followed and implemented, I must reiterate that our culture and faith are glorious, intricate and nuanced. And we have to be careful that they do not get defined by trivia which takes the focus away from the real and the true.”

According to the publication, a protest was held in India’s Indore where people set effigies of the celebrities on fire. Shortly after the song’s release on December 12, Mishra told Indian media at that time, “The costumes in the song, at first glance, are objectionable. It is clearly visible that the song of the film Pathaan has been shot with a dirty mindset. I don’t think this is right and I will tell the director and makers of the film to fix it. Earlier also, Deepika Padukone came in the support of Tukde Tukde Gang at JNU and that’s why her mentality has come in front of everyone before.”

Helmed by Siddharth Anand, Pathaan is scheduled for a theatrical release in January 2023 in India.