CBFC still divided on issuing certificate to Malayalam film Ka Bodyscapes after fourth screening

An 18 member team of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is divided on issuing any certificate to Jayan Cherian’s Malayalam film Ka Bodyscapes, that revolves around homosexuality, after the fourth screening of the film in the past one year. [caption id=“attachment_3313376” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Still from Ka Bodyscapes[/caption] Last reported, Kerala High Court had instructed CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani to either issue an appropriate certificate to the film or suggest changes or cuts in the same. But the CBFC appealed to the Revising Committee to certify the film instead leading to a refusal of certification for the third time. Consequently, the Court sent a contempt notice to Nihalani who then requested the Court to purge contempt in exchange of another screening. After a two-month extension due to “lack of funds to arrange another screening and getting board members together”, an 18 member team watched the film and still stands divided on issuing a certificate. Mid-Day reports that while nine members are willing to issue a certificate to the film with a few cuts, the other half do not want to issue any certificate. The same report states that the CBFC has requested the Court for a two week time period to arrive at a unanimous conclusion and also explain the reasons behind such delay. The same report quotes Nihalani as saying, “I am not answerable. It shouldn’t concern you if I have seen the film twice or five times.” Nihalani also came under the scanner recently for suggesting 48 cuts in Kushan Nandy’s Hindi action thriller Babumoshai Bandookbaaz.  “Nihalani and the CBFC are being unreasonable. They don’t want my film to release. The Board is trying to mute dissenting opinions of artistes. It is unfortunate to see the growing intolerance and lack of freedom of expression,” said Cherian, as per the Mid-Day report. The next hearing in the case is 16 August.