Prasoon Joshi On Padmavati Row: CBFC Has to Take a Neutral Decision, Give it Enough Space and Time

Panaji: Prasoon Joshi on Monday broke his silence after CBFC returned Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati to the makers. The censor board chief said CBFC has to follow certain guidelines and it can’t simply give a certificate to a film just because it has submitted the application form. Joshi said CBFC also wants to take a “balanced decision” about the Deepika Padukone starrer but it should be given enough time to do that.

"It can take time because you have to understand that there are committees involved. CBFC has to take a neutral decision. So it can take 68 days. Generally, films take less than that but here the case is that is CBFC to be blamed that people are on streets to protest? If makers go ahead and show the film to media people, has that been done by CBFC? But you are expecting CBFC to take a well thought out decision. How is that possible? You are not even giving it space and the time,” Joshi said on the sidelines of the International Film Festival of India.

Joshi had earlier expressed disappointment over Padmavati being screened to select individuals, saying a move like that "sets an opportunistic precedent" and attempts "to subvert the existing norm of film certification". Joshi said though he condemns any kind of violence, he needs to take a decision keeping everyone in mind -- from filmmakers to the various sections of the society. “Generally CBFC clears the film before 68 days but it mentions the time when such situations happen. I am also from the film fraternity so I understand Sanjay Leela Bhansali but it’s not about him, it’s about the controversy surrounding the film,” he said.

Recently, Shabana Azmi, in a tweet, questioned the intention of CBFC and wrote, “CBFC sends the film back because some paperwork is not complete!!! Only after 63 days will the film be screened for CBFC when Gujarat election is over and done with!! Are we fools to not see through the design of fomenting unrest and polarizing votes?"

The veteran actress also called out I&B minister Smriti Irani for staying silent over the Padmavati controversy even after Bhansali and Deepika were publicly threatened. However, Joshi said, “The situation has not been created by the board but you are expecting a solution from it. And if you are doing that, at least give them the time and mental space to take that decision.”

The veteran writer then requested everyone to be patient and not get involved in any kind of violence. “CBFC wants to stay neutral. It wants to follow its process. It has just been a week that the film submitted the application. Don't rush for the decision. CBFC is not a machine that you’ll submit an application form and it will give you a certificate. This needs time,” he concluded.