No CBFC blessing for Pithavinum Puthranum

The film ‘Pithavinum Puthranum’, directed by Deepesh, has run into trouble with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which has refused to clear the movie because it is likely to hurt the sentiments of a particular religion. The crew has now decided to approach the Revising Committee for the necessary clearance. However, director Deepesh told ‘Express’ that his film is not against any particular religion or its sentiments, but tries to portray human life. “We submitted the movie before the Censor Board on May 3, a week before the scheduled release date. But they watched my movie only after two weeks. Later, one of the members told me that the movie cannot be screened even if we remove some scenes. He told me that the board had received various complaints right at the time of shooting of the movie”, he said. According to the board members, the content of the film in as well as some of the scenes may hurt the sentiments of a particular community as they may find it as an attempt to belittle them.

However, Balram Mattannur, who penned the script of the movie said that the movie is not against any particular religion but is all about how people misuse their positions, be it a top level official or a politician. “The actual title that we planned was ‘Pithavinum Puthranum Parishudhathmavinum’. But later, we changed it to ‘Pithavinum Puthranum’. But now, I do not know why the movie was denied clearance”, Balram said. Meanwhile, Deepesh said that the Board members have recommended to screen the movie before the Revising Committee. Though they told me that they had received various complaints against my movie, they are yet to tell me exactly what is wrong with my movie or the content of the complaint. I am trying to get the content of the complaint under RTI Act. But it will take one month to get the necessary information. Till then I will not be able to screen the movie, and this will further delay its release”, he added.

The cast of the movie includes noted director V K Prakash who plays the role of a priest, Dhwani as Sr Elcitta and Rajshri Ponnappa as Sr Jessita.