Jha’s film on JP cleared without cuts

The Censor Board of Film Certification cleared film-maker Prakash Jha’s controversial documentary on Loknayak Jaiprakash Narayan last night without any cuts. Armed with the certificate of approval, the film-maker now plans to write a letter to the Department of Culture and the Prasar Bharati Corporation, questioning their wisdom in recommending cuts and stalling the film.

‘‘Why was it not shown in the first place to coincide with JP’s birth anniversary? I object to the delay and look what the Board has done. It has cleared the film without any cuts. The objections of the Government are really absurd,’’ said Jha who had applied for certification 20 days ago.

The film was commissioned by the Department of Culture for Rs 90 lakh, and the Prasar Bharati Corporation had raised objections to the content of the film and had suggested deletions in it. The deletions had to do with comments on former prime minister Indira Gandhi.