Yogi Adityanath Film Ban? Bombay HC Questions CBFC’s ‘Defamatory Scenes’ Claim

The Bombay High Court has criticised the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for not sharing specific objections before refusing certification to a film reportedly based on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The court has directed the CBFC’s revising committee to clearly communicate the “objectionable scenes or dialogues” to the filmmakers by 11 August. The makers must then inform the court by 12 August whether they agree to make the suggested changes.

A bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Neela K Gokhale was hearing a plea filed by Samrat Cinematics India Pvt Ltd, producers of the film Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi. The movie is said to be inspired by Shantanu Gupta’s book The Monk Who Became Chief Minister and was initially planned for a 1 August theatrical release.

The petitioners alleged that the CBFC had caused “unreasonable and arbitrary” delays in clearing the film. Earlier, the HC had asked the board to watch the movie and issue a detailed order.

On 6 August, the CBFC’s examining panel rejected the certification request. Senior advocate Abhay Khandeparkar, representing CBFC, said the filmmakers could approach the revising committee. He added that the objections included the portrayal of a constitutional figure and certain scenes that could be “defamatory” or “objectionable”.

However, advocate Aseem Naphade, appearing for the filmmakers, argued that the CBFC had failed to follow the Cinematograph Act’s requirement to inform them about such objections before rejection.

The High Court observed that the CBFC’s two-line rejection note was insufficient and that the filmmakers should have been given the chance to consider adding a disclaimer. The bench also clarified that the board cannot demand certificates or affidavits from any authority for certifying the film.

The matter will be heard next on 14 August.