Uncertainty over the screening of Malayalam movie ‘Pithavinum Puthranum’ continues as the revising committee of the Censor Board has refused clearance.
Earlier, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had refused to clear the movie, directed by Deepesh, citing that it is likely to hurt the sentiments of a particular religion. Now the makers will have to approach the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT), New Delhi, to get permission for screening.
On the decision, revising committee chairman and director Shaji N Karun told ‘Express’ that Deepesh was not available to clear the doubts of committee members.
“While watching the movie, the members opined that there were some scenes that deserved an explanation from the maker. We did not want to interpret it in our own way. Of course the director is the right person to describe the details, his intentions, the purpose and justification. But he was not present there to defend the movie,” Shaji said.
He said now the makers can approach the FCAT. “There are a lot of instances where movies, which failed to obtain clearance from the regional committee, got cleared by the FCAT,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deepesh said he was not informed about the screening of the movie before the revising committee.“Usually they would inform the producers. But I was not informed by anyone about the screening,” he said.
The CBFC had denied clearance to the film on the basis of a complaint that the film portrays existential issues of nuns in a wrong manner, he said.
“But all I did was to interpret human life. The CBFC or the revising committee is yet to tell me what exactly is wrong with my movie or the content of the complaint. How can they reach at a conclusion just on the basis of a complaint? I suspect conspiracy,” he said.
However, he said he would fight for his right -- the creator’s freedom.