Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has always had issues with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). That trend continued with his latest film Manmarziyaan starring Abhishek Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu and Vicky Kaushal, even though it was said to be the radical director’s most mainstream effort. Only days after the film’s release, a few scenes from Manmarziyaan were cut in certain states, which infuriated Anurag.
Now Anurag has reason to celebrate since the film is all set to be released digitally on Eros Now, which purports to be a censorship-free web platform. The cut scenes will be put back, according to a report in Mid-Day.
It is great to see [my] product being shown in its full form. I have always advocated for a censorship-free [platform], and the digital medium offers that liberty in storytelling. I am happy that the platform is showing the uncensored version of ‘Manmarziyan’, parts of which had to be omitted from the theatrical release due to the protests,Anurag Kashyap
The scenes were edited out of the film after its release in September due to objections from Sikh religious groups that claimed the content was offensive. There were protests held in Delhi and Punjab, and police complaint was filed with the Jammu district magistrate.
Two of the cut scenes featured Sikh characters played by Abhishek Bachchan and Taapsee Pannu smoking and the third showed the couple in a Gurudwara dressed as bride and groom.
Manmarziyaan is set to release on Eros Now on Wednesday 12 December.