The Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) on Monday informed the Bombay High Court that BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, the co-producer and lead actor in the film "Emergency", has agreed to the cuts suggested by the Censor Board's revising committee to the movie.
A division bench comprising Justices Burgess Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla after taking note of this submission adjourned hearing the petition seeking certificate for the film's release till Thursday. Today, the co-producer Zee Studios sought time from court to see how the changes can be made, the LiveLaw reported.
The plea has been moved by Zee Studios, the co-producer of the film. Earlier, the CBFC had informed the high court that the revising committee has suggested certain cuts in the film after which it can be released.
Reportedly, the Zee Studios also informed the bench that Kangana Ranaut had a meeting with the CBFC and has agreed with the suggestions with regards to certain cuts to the film. However, time is required for deciding as to how the cuts are to be implemented.
The high court the directed the counsels appearing in case to take proper instructions on the same till next hearing.
The plea in Bombay High Court had contended that CBFC initially granted an e-certificate and had also informed Ranaut about the same through emails, but refused to hand over the hard copy of the certificate.
The CBFC on other hand told court that it never issued an e-certificate and that the emails, which are being relied upon were auto-generated mails.
Last week, the Bombay High Court directed the CBFC to decide on certificate to Kangana Ranaut starrer movie 'Emergency' by September 25. The court said that creative freedom can't be curtailed on apprehension of public disorder and directed the CBFC to decide on certificate for film 'Emergency'.
The court had taken strong exception of delay by CBFC and said that the Censor Board is not required to worry about law and order implications while certifying a movie.
During the previous hearing, the co-producers (Zee Entertainment Enterprises) of the movie "Emergency" told the Bombay High Court that the film starring BJP member of parliament (MP) Kangana Ranaut, is being blocked from release at the behest of the BJP itself.
Appearing for the Zee Studios, Senior Advocate Venkatesh Dhond, told the high court that the CBFC was purposely dragging the film's release as it wants the same to be released only after the Haryana elections in October this year.
Dhondh argued in court that the co-producer is a BJP MP and the party does not want a film which hurts the sentiments of certain communities by a BJP member (Kanagan Ranuat). Dhondh said that their is a sizeable sikh population in Haryana and the Centre does not want a film that hurts Sikh sentiments to be relased before elections.
Responding to this argument, Justice Colabawalla asked, "So you mean to say that it will affect the voting decision of people voting for BJP? Why would someone ruling in a State want to thwart the film made by their own member?"
The argument by Zee did not find any ground in front of the bench.
"Had it been that the State was ruled by some other opposition party, we could have considered it," the report quoted the judge saying.