CBFC should only classify films: Shabana Azmi

Veteran actress Shabana Azmi is of the view that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) should neither censor nor certify movies, instead only classify them.

Azmi’s comment came in wake of the censorship controversy that surrounded Bollywood film “Udta Punjab”, wherein the makers got embroiled into a tussle with the censor board over the film body’s demand for multiple cuts in the movie.

“CBFC shud become a body that does not censor or even certify ONLY CLASSIFY films. That gives the audience the choice to watch a film or not,” the 65-year-old “Neerja” actress tweeted.

Directed by Abhishek Chaubey, “Udta Punjab” is based on the issue of substance abuse in Punjab. As the fight with the board intensified, the film’s makers moved the Bombay High Court against the CBFC’s decision. The court cleared the film for release with just one cut.