Anurag Kashyap won’t have to change title of Bombay Velvet says CBFC Chief

As far as the use of ‘Bombay’ in his film’s title is concerned the CBFC is very clear on the issue.

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Speaking on the issue Pahlaj Nihalani the CBFC’s chairperson says, “This is a State matter. The Maharashtra government officially changed the name of ‘Bombay’ to ‘Mumbai’ in 1995. And still, if filmmakers and song-writers continue to use the unconstitutional name for the city, we’ve no choice but to delete it. The city is called Mumbai, not Bombay. People like Mihir Joshi who have probably grown up in the city should know this. Making films and writing songs are a social responsibility. You can’t change Geography and History just to sound trendy.”

However, Kashyap’s film may be the exception for the rule.

Explains Nihalani, “If a film is a period drama, if it is set during a time when Mumbai was called Bombay then we may consider retaining the old name for the city. However, in the contemporary context ‘Bombay’ won’t be allowed at all.”