Protests after CBFC blocks Malayalam film Kathakali on grounds of nudity

Malayalam film industry is caught in a fight with the regional office of CBFC over denial of certificate for the film Kathakali, alleging nudity.

3 min readThiruvananthapuramUpdated: Jun 21, 2016 04:09 PM IST

The Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), a body of Malayalam film directors and technician, on Monday staged a dharna in front of the regional office of the CBFC here.

At a time when the controversy surrounding Bollywood film Udta Punjab has stirred up the censorship debate, the Malayalam film industry is caught in a tussle with the regional office of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) over the denial of certificate to Kathakali on grounds of nudity.

The Film Employees’ Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), a body of Malayalam film directors and technicians, staged a dharna on Monday in front of CBFC’s regional office. FEFKA general secretary and B Unnikrishnan said the censor board was indulging in politics and added that they would move the high court against the board’s decision. “The CBFC is treating filmmakers as if we have committed a grave sin,” he said.

WATCH | If CBFC Has Leaked Udta Punjab, It’s A Big Shame: Aamir Khan

The two-hour film on the life of a Kathakali artiste is directed by Sijo Kannanaikkal. Recently, the CBFC asked for three cuts to be “sanctioned for unrestricted public exhibition”.

The board wants the removal of a scene in which the protagonist Dasan is undressed and beaten up and another towards the end in which Dasan removes the Kathakali attire and walks towards the Bharathapuzha river. It also wants the cuss words removed.

WATCH | Udta Punjab Mashup

Young filmmaker Sijo is of the view that the scenes in question were the soul of the movie and added that the CBFC was infringing upon creative freedom. “What would be left in the film if the climax is removed,” he asked.

CBFC regional officer Dr A Prathibha has called the protest a publicity stunt. Stating that the director has not replied to the board’s notice, she said the filmmakers were protesting without knowing the regulations.

Story continues below this ad

WATCH | Udta Punjab To Release On June 17: Film’s Team Reacts To Bombay HC’s Snub To CBFC

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.