Mumbai News: Makers Of Movie On UP CM Yogi Adityanath Again Approach Bombay HC Over CBFC Rejection; Court Questions Censorship Logic

Mumbai: The makers of a film purportedly based on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have once again approached the Bombay High Court challenging the decision of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) rejecting the applications for certification.

Court Hearing Adjourned To August 1

The court while adjourning the plea for hearing on Friday, August 1, questioned the censor board on the reasons for rejecting their application considering the film is inspired by a novel that has been in public domain for the past eight years.

HC Grills CBFC Over Ban Despite Book’s Existence

If no issues have been raised on the book then how can a film inspired by it violate public order, a bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale asked. The court issued notice to the CBFC.

Filmmakers Allege Arbitrary Rejection

The makers – Samrat Cinematics’ advocates Aseem Naphade, Satatya Anand and Nikhil Aradhe argued that the CBFC rejected its applications seeking certification for the movie, trailer and songs without even screening or examining them.

The makers had filed a plea early this month seeking a direction to the CBFC to decide on the applications. The censure board, last week, assured the court that it would take a decision on the applications in two working days.

Release Scheduled For August 1

Despite this assurance, the censor board took the decision only now, the makers claimed in their plea. The film – “Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi” – is slated for release on August 1. It is inspired by the book 'The Monk Who Became Chief Minister', which is purportedly based on Yogi Adityanath's life.