Angry Indian Goddesses: CBFC wanted images of Kali and Lakshmi blurred

Unclear on the next course and keen to release the film, which has Tannishtha Chatterjee, Sarah-Jane Dias, Anushka Manchanda, Sandhya Mridul and Adil Hussain as part of the key cast, the makers returned to the examining committee with many voluntary cuts, including muting of expletives. This time, the committee agreed to certify the film but “suggested” 18 changes.

“We were asked to blur the images of Lakshmi and Kali, shorten a lovemaking scene and delete a kiss. There was also a suggestion to delete the word ‘lunch’ in a scene where a girl is told by her friend ‘Here comes your lunch’ upon spotting a man,” he said.

They also asked the makers to add a disclaimer stating that the film, which is touted to be a female buddy film, is a work of fiction.“We fought hard when we were asked to change the title. Their argument was that using the word ‘goddess’ for women is not right. But we argued that even the Prime Minister refers to the country’s populace as deviyon aur sajjanon. If he can, then why can we not have the word ‘goddess’ in the title?” quipped Dhingra.

Dhingra then applied to the revising committee, but the two scheduled screenings were cancelled. “By then, we were too close to the release date and decided to withdraw the application for a revision. I had to protect my film and investors. We have sold the film all over the world,” said Dhingra, who feels the changes don’t take away from the film and final version retains the essence.

CBFC chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani said the changes were not random. “They were made in context of the film. Once people watch the film, they will understand,” he said.