Censor Board allows Anurag Kashyap to retain 'Bombay Velvet' title

Ranbir Kapoor in a still from Bombay Velvet

Even as the controversy over Censor Board's decision to ban 'Bombay' from film titles, dialogues and lyrics has not died down, a relief comes in as Bombay Velvet gets to retain its original title.

Ranbir Kapoor in a still from 'Bombay Velvet'

As per an internal decision taken by the Censor Board on Monday, Kashyap has been allowed to retain the title as it is a period film. Says a source, "Apart from cuss words and other issues, the controversy over usage of 'Bombay' in films and songs was discussed. A board member pointed out that a film should be allowed to use the colonial name if it is set in a period before the The Maharashtra Restoration of Name 'Mumbai' for 'Bombay Act, 1996, came into effect."

The source adds that the member also read out the guidelines for certification which spell that the Censor Board must ensure that a film is judged in its entirety from the point of view of its overall impact and examined in the light of the period depicted in the movie.

In the past, there have been several instances of filmmakers having to change the title or replace 'Bombay' in their films. Karan Johar had to insert a disclaimer in 'Wake Up Sid' for mentioning Bombay following threats from local political parties to ban the film. Recently, makers of Bombay Central had to make changes to the title. Joy Mukherji's 'Love in Bombay', which released 42 years after it was made, was renamed 'Love in Mumbai'. However, Ashi Dua's 'Bombay Talkies' (2013), a tribute to 100 years of Hindi cinema, didn't face any problem.