BABUMOSHAI BANDOOKBAAZ CLEARED WITH LESS THAN 10 CUTS

As we reported earlier, the censor board had asked Kushan Nandy to get rid of profanity and trim “humping scenes” by 80 per cent in Babumoshai Bandookbaaz. Nandy claimed that ex-CBFC chairperson, Pahlaj Nihalani, had told him, “You are lucky I’m not banning your film,” and had asked them to make 48 cuts while giving the film an "A" certificate. Now, however, it seems the makers can heave a sigh of relief as the film now finally be cleared with only 10 cuts. The film has been passed by the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) with just 7-8 voluntary cuts.

After CBFC's demands, Kiran and director Kushan Nandy had approached FCAT, which upheld the certification but not the cuts. "They found the hullabaloo around the cuts extremely funny. Instead, they asked us to suggest seven-eight voluntary cuts. The film is releasing as per schedule in its original, full-blown version, which is our victory," Kushan had said in a media address.

The tribunal watched the film on August 3 but the decision was passed much later, closer to the date when Pahlaj was given marching orders last week. "The order could have been passed by August 5 or 6. It was stuck because Pahlaj, who, in a last ditch attempt to stop the film from releasing, wrote a letter to the FCAT, stating that we had shown two different versions of the film to the board and the tribunal. He had even asked the tribunal to bar us from suggesting voluntary cuts. However, we provided technical proof that Pahlaj's claims were false and that strengthened our case. The tribunal has reprimanded the CBFC and its then chief for it," Kushan had told the media.

The makers also want to file a case against Nihlani for attempting to sabotage the film and its release. "I will not let this go. There's substantial proof that Pahlaj tried to settle personal vendetta. My lawyer is looking into the matter and we'll figure what legal recourse to take," the director concluded.

Babumoshai Bandookbaaz releases on August 25, 2017.