Bombay High Court directs CBFC to certify film on Yogi Adityanath to release soon

The Bombay High court on Monday directed the Central Board of Film Certification(CBFC) to certify the film "Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi" for its theatrical release without any cuts or modifications.(Bombay High Court Yogi Adityanath film)

Bombay HC Slams CBFC, Clears Yogi Adityanath Film for Certification

After repeated non compliance by the CBFC, the bench had decided to watch the film over the weekend and on Monday noted that there was no issue because of which the film should be denied a certificate by the CBFC.(CBFC certification dispute)

However, Senior Advocate Ram Apte, appearing for the CBFC, argued that the film contains obscenity and could be defamatory towards CM Adityanath.(Yogi Adityanath biopic release)

The bench asked Apte if he had seen the film to which he denied. (CBFC vs filmmakers case)The court observed that the film contains neither obscenity nor defamatory content. 

The court further suggested that the CBFC may require an additional disclaimer stating that the film is a creative work and is based on fictional characters. The Petitioners provided the Bench a copy of a modified Disclaimer which the Court accepted and directed it to be attached to the Film.(Bombay HC CBFC order

“Bombay HC Finds No Objectionable Content, Rejects CBFC Cuts on Yogi Adityanath Film

On objections being raised by CBFC's counsel, the bench said that it had seen those scenes specially about which the CBFC had raised issues. “We have seen the movie in its context, and we don't see that anything needs to be re-edited. We have paused at every point you flagged. We have noted everything. We don't find anything objectionable".(Yogi Adityanath film controversy)

The petitioners Samrat Cinematics India Pvt. Ltd, represented by advocates Ravi Kadam, Satatya Anand and Nikhil Aradhe pointed out that following a court direction, the CBFC had asked for 29 cuts and it's revision committee had brought it down to 21, but the film makers were not agreeable to those cuts and thus had approached the court.(Samrat Cinematics India Pvt Ltd)

The bench observed that the film is based on a book, 'The Monk Who Became Chief Minister' and asked Apte if he had read the book to which he denied.(CBFC film cuts Bombay HC) Lawyers representing the film makers have repeatedly informed the court that the book is catalogued in many national and international libraries from which the film is inspired.(yogi Adityanath positive portrayal)

Bombay HC Orders CBFC to Certify Yogi Adityanath Film, Says It Shows Him Positively

The Petitioners Advocates relied on a case of the Bombay High Court which categorically states that a movie cannot be denied certification on the grounds that it is based on an individual or some real events. The court after taking into consideration the submissions, duly noted that there is nothing in the film as compared to what is shown on different platforms and also the movie depicts Yogi Adityanath in a very positive light throughout. Thus, all the reasons stated by CBFC for denying certification is struck down and the movie is directed to be released to the theatres, accordingly, the Court directed the CBFC to grant certification to the film.(Bombay HC directs CBFC certification)

FAQ

Q1: What was the dispute between the filmmakers and CBFC?
The CBFC had asked the filmmakers to make 29 cuts (later reduced to 21), but the filmmakers refused, arguing that the cuts were unjustified.

Q2: What did the Bombay High Court say about the film?
The court watched the film and found no obscenity or defamatory content. It noted that Yogi Adityanath was shown in a positive light throughout.

Q3: Why did the CBFC oppose certification?
CBFC counsel argued that the film contained obscenity and could be defamatory towards CM Yogi Adityanath, though the court disagreed.

Q4: What legal precedent did the petitioners cite?
The petitioners’ advocates cited a Bombay HC ruling stating that a movie cannot be denied certification simply because it is based on an individual or real events.

Q5: What was the final decision of the Bombay High Court?
The court struck down CBFC’s reasons for denial and directed the CBFC to grant certification, clearing the film for theatrical release.

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