Actors of ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’ Speak up Against the CBFC

This is what Ratna Pathak Shah, Prakash Jha, Aahana Kumra and Vikrant Massey have to say about the CBFC.

Another brilliant film, another denial of certification for it by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) because of its explicit content. Infuriated by the CBFC’s decision to completely deny certification to their film, Lipstick Under My Burkha, producer Prakash Jha and actors of the film lash out at the Board.

It is not due to one person or CBFC; it is about right to take decision; the mentality and understanding: Prakash Jha #lipstickundermyburkha pic.twitter.com/Y2fSmwXxSy

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 24, 2017

The CBFC has simply given a letter saying they will not certify it (the film). There has been no negotiation on any cuts or anything like that. We have no option but to go to the tribunal. 

Prakash Jha, Filmmaker

The censor board has taken upon itself, for some reason, the role of a moral watchdog for our society. I don’t know why do they need to do that. They’re a film certification board. They should stick to what they know best: certify a film, say what is not acceptable in the film, and let the filmmakers figure it out. You can’t completely deny certification! I am quite surprised, and, actually a bit amused that they were so worried by what this film is going to do, that they had to completely refuse to certify it? 

Ratna Pathak Shah, Actor

We all are quite and amused as to why the CBFC has refused to give us a certificate. We’re making a simple film. It is a simple film about desires of women. I don’t understand why the censor board is feeling so threatened at the fact that four women are talking about their sexual desires and they can’t think about fantasising about certain things in their life and men can so openly do it. Why such a patriarchal society? I think we’re in 2017 and we shouldn’t go back into the ghoonghat system. If they are going to start banning art then nobody is going to make art. 

Aahana Kumra, Actor

I really think it is very sad. We’ve been facing these issues for quite sometime now. The film is being enjoyed all over the world, aur yahaan par toh film ko certification bhi nahi de rahe. It is very unfortunate. 

Vikrant Massey, Actor