Re-consider U/A certification to 'Ramleela': HC tells CBFC

Mumbai: Observing that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) did not apply its mind while granting certification to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Goliyon ki Rasleela–Ramleela’, the Bombay High Court today directed it to re-consider the U/A status given to the movie. A division bench of Justices VM Kanade and MS Sonak directed the CBFC to consider whether guidelines of the Cinematograph Act were followed before granting certification to Bhansali’s movie. [caption id=“attachment_1294861” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  A screen grab from the film Ramleela.[/caption] “Although the board has said that the guidelines were followed in our view there has been non-application of mind,” the court said. The CBFC shall also see if any content of the movie or its title has violated any fundamental rights of citizens. The directions were passed by the bench while hearing a petition filed by Sandeep Shukla, Congress member and vice president of Shree Maharashtra Ramleela Mandal which has been holding Ramleela every year during Navratri at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai. Shukla in his petition had claimed that the film’s title is misleading and the contents have hurt the religious sentiments of Lord Ram and Hanuman followers. The CBFC has been directed to hear the petitioner and pass an order within four weeks. The bench also noted that the CBFC has to be careful in future while issuing certification to movies. “Utmost care has to be taken by the Board in such cases and ensure that the guidelines are followed and there are no violations,” the court said. PTI