CBFC Denies Banning ‘No Fathers in Kashmir’, Says Reports “False”

Alia Bhatt had joined Swara Bhasker and Shashi Tharoor in asking the CBFC to certify and release the film.

Alia Bhatt with Soni Razdan; Shivam Raina and Zara Webb, the actors from No Fathers In Kashmir. 

(Photos Courtesy: Instagram / ashvinkumar.com)

Alia Bhatt joined the list of actors, filmmakers and politicians who tweeted in support of filmmaker Ashvin Kumar’s No Fathers In Kashmir on 17 January. The film which was denied a U certificate earlier was being tossed between the CBFC and the FCAT after the filmmaker approached the tribunal to review their certification.

“Was soo looking forward to mom's @nofathers_movie #nofathersinkashmir!! @Soni_Razdan @ashvinkumar & team worked super hard for this honest teens love story in Kashmir. Really hope the CBFC would #lifttheban. It’s a film about empathy & compassion..let’s give love a chance!” tweeted Alia on Thursday morning, requesting the CBFC to certify the film and allow its release.

CBFC has now denied banning the film. Regional Officer CBFC Mumbai Tushar Karmarkar told PTI,

We are disappointed with the misinformation being spread about the film <em>No Fathers In Kashmir</em>. Any news of CBFC banning this film is completely false. And all responsible people should take account of that. We want to again clarify that filmmakers of <em>No Fathers In Kashmir</em> have already been offered an adult certificate and the reasons thereof have clearly been communicated to them. It’s unfortunate that unwarranted pressure is being put by spreading misinformation of a ban. CBFC will continue to do its work in a fair and transparent manner without succumbing to misguided pressure tactics.”

Tushar Karmarkar, Regional Officer, CBFC Mumbai

Actor Swara Bhasker had earlier tweeted about No Fathers In Kashmir, highlighting about how the film has been stuck with the CBFC for over six months.

On 10 January, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor had tweeted about how the delay in the certification of No Fathers In Kashmir was unconscionable.

Alia’s mom and actor Soni Razdan, who is part of the cast of No Fathers In Kashmir, has been tweeting about the film and appealing to the CBFC to give the film to certify the film and allow for its release.

Soni’s tweets were retweeted by Pritish Nandy and Mahesh Bhatt.

According to the makers of No Fathers In Kashmir, the delay in certifying the film has now cost them a fair chance to compete for the National Awards this year.

Ashvin Kumar with his actors from No Fathers In Kashmir - Shivam Raina and Zara Webb.

No Fathers In Kashmir has been in trouble with the CBFC for almost 6 months after its application in July and it’s first viewing which happened in October. Both the CBFC and the apex body FCAT have heard the case and maintained to give the film an A certificate.

Ashvin Kumar’s latest film is a love story of two 16-year-olds in Kashmir who are individually searching for their missing fathers. The filmmaker has earlier won two National Awards for his films Inshallah Kashmir and Inshallah Football.