After 'Udta Punjab', Nawazuddin Siddiqui's 'Haraamkhor' has run into trouble with Censor Board which has declined to give the movie a certificate. Outrage followed with Twitter users expressing displeasure and anger
'Who is real Haraamkhor?' Twitterati fume as Censor Board declines to pass film
After 'Udta Punjab', Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer and Anurag Kashyap co-produced 'Haraamkhor' has run into trouble with the censor board, which has declined to give the movie a certificate.
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Directed by Shlok Sharma, the film chronicles a relationship between a 14-year-old girl (Shweta Tripathi) and her tuition teacher, played by Siddiqui, in a small town.
A still from 'Haraamkhor'
There were reports that a screening of the film was held recently for the Examining Committee of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The committee, however, declined to pass the movie.
According to a source, "The Censor Board has refused to censor the film because of the story of the film. The film is about the love story between the teacher and a student and according to the board teacher is considered as idols and are worshiped so they have an objection with it."
Twitterati outraged with some quipping 'who is the real 'Haraamkhor' here' and some asking the CBFC to stop being promotional partner of movies.
Here are some Twitter reactions:
I feel Smriti Irani & her deputies "show edu dept under bad light". Can v pl deny them a certificate? Even if it's fake one?Pls? #Haraamkhor
— Ujval Nanavati (@cynical_ujval) June 20, 2016
Education dept? Film's about a school teacher's affair with a teenage student. That's why it's called #Haraamkhor! https://t.co/u4kkeEnO3Q
— Aseem Chhabra (@chhabs) June 20, 2016
I wish Nawazuddin showed his middle finger in this poster (that would be dedicated to CBFC)!#Haraamkhor https://t.co/qSIeFojRVz
— $hubham (@shubhamrakhecha) June 20, 2016
Dear #CBFC, stop being the promotional partner of movies.#Haraamkhor
— sarvarta (@sarvarta) June 19, 2016
https://t.co/BMlK7qLAyP
No ok 4 #Haraamkhor coz film theme "objectionable"?!! SHUT down Censor Board, gross misuse. @arunjaitley @Ra_THORe https://t.co/WCYcYsmOF6
— Rachna Burman (@rachnaburman) June 16, 2016
Oh lawd, here we go again. ðÂÂÂÂÂÂÂu00c2u009fÂÂÂÂÂÂÂu00c2u0098ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂu00c2u0092 #Haraamkhor https://t.co/1YsDkkxnEE
— Dilani Rabindran (@dilani_r) June 14, 2016
Showing a story related to a profession doesn't put the whole profession in bad light... #Haraamkhor https://t.co/cACljoaZNP
— archit gupta (@archit_ggn) June 20, 2016
Thinking this way, each movie cud be banned easily.#Haraamkhor https://t.co/cACljoaZNP
— archit gupta (@archit_ggn) June 20, 2016
So tired of this shit!!!! If this is the case, then better start censoring newspapers too. https://t.co/EG2Om9lAii #haraamkhor
— Sonam Nair (@chink_ster) June 20, 2016
#UdtaPunjab now #haraamkhor what's with #censor board? Ur job is to #rate a film. #Notban. Give #certificate with #rating. And shut up.
— shray sahni (@shrays) June 14, 2016
Jst a day after da #UdtaPunjabVerdict #CBFC finds da entire theme of #haraamkhor objectionable! Some ppl never learn! #WTF #chutiyapa
— ananya (@ananya1281) June 14, 2016
Who is the real #Haraamkhor here? You tell me. https://t.co/ItNUww02Ow
— SP (@inquestioner) June 19, 2016
What the filmmakers have to say:
When asked about this, co-producer Guneet Monga of Sikhya Entertainment told PTI, "Yes, they refused to give us a certificate saying that the theme of the film is objectionable. They didn't ask for any cuts, just refused to pass the film, saying that it puts the teachers in a bad light."
Interestingly, the film was premiered in 15th annual New York Indian Film Festival, where Siddiqui received the Best Actor award for his performance. 'Haraamkhor' was also presented the Silver Gateway of India trophy at the 17th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival last year.
Monga says she tried to explain the members of the committee the context of the film but they said the theme of the movie was "unacceptable."
"I did (explain to the members) but they said the movie shows the teachers in a bad light, which is unacceptable to the society. I tried to reason that these things do happen. In fact, the film's director was inspired by real life stories to make the movie. But nothing happened."
The next step for the makers is to take the movie to Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT).
"We will now follow the procedure and take our movie to FCAT. We are trying for that."
Asked if need be, will they be going to the court, Monga said, "I hope not. I hope the issue gets resolved."
(With inputs from Gaurav Dubey and PTI)