On August 7, the Bombay High Court raised concerns over the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) requiring a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from an authority before granting clearance to a film reportedly based on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
A bench comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale was informed that the CBFC had denied certification to the film Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi. The movie is said to be inspired by the book The Monk Who Became Chief Minister, which is believed to depict the life of the CM.
Representing the filmmakers, advocates Aseem Naphade, Satatya Anand, and Nikhil Aradhe informed the court that the CBFC had cited the lack of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s office as one of the reasons for denying certification. Additionally, the board had objected to specific scenes and dialogues, demanding they be altered or removed.
Court suggests disclaimer or edits instead of NOC requirement
The Bombay High Court questioned the CBFC’s insistence on a No Objection Certificate, asking why the board couldn’t simply point out the objectionable content. The bench suggested that the filmmakers could instead be directed to modify specific scenes or include a disclaimer to address concerns.
CBFC argues film mirrors biopic despite being labelled fiction
Senior advocate Abhay Khandeparkar, appearing for the CBFC, defended the board’s decision, stating that the film closely resembled a biopic, mirroring the real figure’s name, timeline, and speeches. While the filmmakers maintain it is a work of fiction, Khandeparkar argued that a film’s visual and emotional impact differs significantly from that of a book.
HC directs filmmakers to seek revising committee’s review by August 14
Noting that the book on which the film is based was published five years ago, the Bombay High Court directed the filmmakers to approach the CBFC’s Revising Committee. The court instructed the committee to issue a reasoned decision by August 14. The film was originally slated for release on August 1.
