Kher clipped, Sharmila takes over

The result: Female nudity has been allowed while male exposure is not and the film has been stamped with an ‘Adult’ certificate.

While Sins, which promises to be a controversial film, is readied for release in November, Kher was sacked from his job today by the Government and replaced with Sharmila Tagore.

Kher was appointed last year by the BJP-led NDA Government and had two more years to go before his tenure ended. Speculation is rife that the Government is likely to sack the members of the FCAT too.

The members of the tribunal, like the Board members, were appointed by the BJP and are known to be associated with the Sangh ideology.

Blaming the Left for his exit, Kher said: ‘‘The pressure to sack me increased after an article, penned by CPI(M) leader Harkishan Singh Surjeet in party paper People’s Democracy, demanded I be replaced,’’ said Kher. His suspicion was confirmed when the Information and Broadcasting secretary, Naveen Chawla, called him last evening, he added. ‘‘He said he had bad news for me,’’ Kher said over phone from Mumbai. Chawla was not available for comment.

Dismissing allegations that his appointment had to do with politics, Kher said: ‘‘I have the requisite credentials and the selection is done after careful scrutiny. Otherwise, any Tom and Harry can make it to the post.’’

Kher was advised against resigning by friends against the move and will be holding a press conference tomorrow. Kher’s predecessor, Vijay Anand, too had to step down after the changes he proposed in the film certification rules did not go down well with former I&B Minister Sushma Swaraj.