Producer Sudipto Sen unleashed a scathing indictment of the CBFC on February 26 from Mumbai, decrying the uneven treatment of films. ‘Animal’ and ‘Dhurandhar,’ laden with brutality, secure certificates effortlessly— so why is ‘Charak: Fair of Faith’ mired in the review committee’s protracted ordeal?
‘This double standard has plagued us since 2013-14,’ Sen charged, referencing repeated advocacy efforts. ‘Violent extravaganzas pass muster unchallenged, while content interrogating cultural and religious norms endures endless probes.’
Echoing the certification saga of ‘The Kerala Story,’ Sen lamented, ‘Our recourse is to protest and persevere amid systemic bias.’
Directed by Shiladitya Moulik, ‘Charak’ is a haunting thriller inspired by folklore, chronicling superstitions, tantra, and punitive rites in India’s hinterlands. Board objections to specific visuals escalated it to higher review.
Sen stands resolute: ‘No disparagement of faith here—only a spotlight on illegal atrocities justified by superstition. Art must confront societal evils head-on.’
This controversy spotlights simmering tensions in Indian filmmaking. With mainstream violence normalized, does censorial rigor target sensitive topics unfairly? Sen’s campaign could catalyze reforms, ensuring cinema’s role as societal mirror remains unhampered.