Da Vinci waits for govt message to reach producer

‘‘The CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) has decided to release the film in the category ‘A’ with a short disclaimer — ‘It is a work of fiction and does not intend to hurt any sentiments’. There will be no cuts and no editing of the film,’’ Dasmunsi said.

In the absence of the Censor Board chairperson, the Censor Board official in-charge Vinayak Raja is ‘‘trying to get in touch with the producer to pass on the message’’, Dasmunsi added.

While Sony Pictures is distributing the film, it has been produced by Brian Grazer and John Calley under the production house Imagine Entertainment. ‘‘There should not be any problem. Lots of films in our country carry such disclaimers. They are trying to inform the producers, it may take two-three days,’’ he added.

Under fire for interfering with the Censor Board’s functioning by stalling the scheduled release of the film in India and screening it for Catholic Christian groups, Dasmunsi today said the CBFC had already taken a similar decision to mark the film ‘A’ and allow it with a disclaimer prior to his intervention.

The minister, however, admitted that he had, indeed, given the Censor Board a guideline of sorts — ‘‘that for any matter (films) pertaining to religious, ethnic groups and cultural issues, the Board should take the widest possible response and screen it before representative groups’’ — before the certification process is complete.

His final take on The Da Vinci Code: It was one of the good productions, with a well cut out theme based on pure fiction. I am fully convinced that it should be put under ‘A’ certification.’’