Kolkata: National Award winning filmmaker Suman Ghosh plans to release his censorship controversy-mired documentary on Nobel laureate Amartya Sen online in a "couple of months" in its entirety, including four words that the Indian censor board has objected to.
Amartya Sen. News 18
The Argumentative Indian, originally scheduled for a 14 July release, was refused the green signal by the Indian censor board over the use of the words "cow", "Gujarat", "Hindu India" and "Hindutva", by Sen.
The hour-long documentary, structured as a free flowing conversation between Sen and his student and Cornell economics professor Kaushik Basu, has already been screened in New York and London. It had a special screening in Kolkata on 10 July.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) officials in Kolkata verbally asked Ghosh to mute at least four words, including "cow" and "Gujarat", from Sen's interview in the film.
"I will do that (release the film online). I have some screenings organised abroad so I can't release it before that. It will take a couple of months. It will be there in its entirety," Ghosh told IANS in an interview
Ghosh unveiled a link to a 141-second trailer of the documentary on Friday via his Facebook page. The trailer link was posted on YouTube earlier in July. However, it is being reported that CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani has termed the trailer post "illegal".
"I have to find out though... if he (Nihalani) is objecting to the trailer... whether a new law has been created in India where online content also has to be certified, so I have to find those out. But definitely I can release it all over the world," the filmmaker said, adding the trailer was prepared much in advance, before the documentary came under the CBFC's scanner.
Noted for films like Footsteps (winner of two National Awards) and Nobel Chor, Ghosh's features have had screenings in prestigious film fests such as Busan, Karlovy Vary and London, among others.
Asked about the CBFC's reaction to the trailer, Ghosh said, "I saw that (media report on Nihalani terming the trailer illegal)... I don't know why. I made six feature films and I know a lot of filmmakers.. all of them said that on YouTube, one need not necessarily certify. If I play the trailer on TV or in theatres, then I need a censor certificate."
In the aftermath of the censor trouble, Ghosh has had no dialogue yet with the censor board. "No. I am waiting for them to send me some official letter and I believe because of this controversy and everything, they are also scrutinising it. I will get an official letter from them, what they have told me verbally they will write and give it to me officially... that is the next step," he said.
As for as discussing the matter with Sen himself, Ghosh avers the steps being taken are completely his prerogative as a filmmaker.
A still from The Argumentative Indian. Twitter
The CBFC, which has stoked controversy in recent times by recommending a whopping 12 cuts in Madhur Bhandarkar's forthcoming Indu Sarkar, as also by wielding its scissors on films like Lipstick Under My Burkha and Jab Harry Met Sejal, drew all round flak after its latest decision.
Branding the CBFC's moves as "authoritarian", Ghosh notes these diktats put India in a bad light internationally. "This is definitely an authoritarian gesture for sure to beep out certain things in my film, Madhur's film.. but the way the media took this issue up, nationally and now this has become international news also, we can just hope that better sense will prevail on them because they have been criticised for this even internationally," Ghosh said, referring to the coverage in The Washington Post and BBC.
"It puts India in such a bad light. Why is the government so insecure to mention even (the) truth (of) what is happening in the country... what has happened in the country... why is the government insecure about these things," he wondered.
"This is not only in films...in other areas too lot of things are happening... not an isolated issue... censorship issue is one spoke in the wheel," Ghosh remarked about the CBFC's "intolerance".
He also believes all the hue and cry that has been generated as a consequence of the censor board's recommendations is "counter-productive" for it. "They want to shut out any oppositional voice, but this is counter-productive for them," he quipped.
Looking forward to the release of his next feature outing Mi Amor in December, Ghosh said even if filmmakers apprehend fronting sensitive topics, in the wake of censorship issues, what is remarkable to note are the voices of dissent that have risen up.
"If all of us cow down (because), in future, we might be blacklisted or targeted -- then it's like accepting whatever they are saying without any voices raised... I am not such a person... we will see what the future holds. The voice that has been raised... that's why its so important that the youngsters are also not demoralised by these events," he added.
As for the implementation of the recommendations submitted by a Shyam Benegal-led panel to revamp the CBFC, Ghosh expressed doubt on its smooth progress. "Now it (censorship) has become a political issue. I hope it happens, but I doubt whether it will be smooth sailing," he said.
Read the original:
- Russian Censorship: Tor, Anonymous VPNs Could Be Target Of Next Crackdown, MP Warns - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Russian Censorship: Tor, Anonymous VPNs Could Be Target Of Next Crackdown, Kremlin Warns - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship is no way to hold a debate - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Irreverent: A Celebration of Censorship - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- More online censorship coming to closed countries, says report - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- New book retraces the idea of censorship - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Strike Against SOPA & PIPA - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Sonam Kapoor: I Don't Believe In Censorship! Supports AIB roast! - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- FINAL FANTASY XIV: Unnecessary Censorship #4 - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- China 'great firewall' expands to step up Internet censorship - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- DIRTY GUILD WARS 2: The Voice Cast - Unnecessary Censorship - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Into the Fray Episode 47: NFL Censorship - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Weekly Rewind "Feb 1st" Facebook Censorship? - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Street Fighter 3 2nd Impact CENSORED - Akuma's Defeat Portrait's Blood - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Inside WM: Is Censorship Ever Okay? - Ep. 3 - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- China Targets Virtual Private Networks In Censorship Push - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Tricks to Beat Internet Censorship (On Assignment) - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship and Anal Sex - Video Clip with Remi Newman - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship and Graphic Content Warnings - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- KIDS vs. FOOD - Unnecessary Censorship - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Christian Censorship of Truthiracy - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- FaceBook Censorship Video Featuring The M48 War Hammer - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Youtube Media Censorship - #NWO 134 - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Listen To "Cyberspace Spirit," China's Anthem To Internet Censorship - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Facebook self-censorship: What happens to the posts you ... - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Unnecessary Censorship of a bunch of Cartoons! - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- DAT CENSORSHIP! - Let's Play Saints Row IV #3 (Playthrough) - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- The Rundown Live #414 Open Lines (Corruption,Waking Up,Censorship) - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Facebook To Implement Chinese Style Internet Censorship - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Paris Fashion Week Debuts Butt Plugs in Reaction to Censorship - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Facebook Censorship: What They're Not Telling You - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Best of Unnecessary Censorship Compilation by Jimmy Kimmel - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship: When Truth Becomes a Casualty - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Ice Climber CENSORED - Yeti/Seal Enemy - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- FaceBook Censorship Video Featuring The M48 Tomahawk - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship: The Story Telling Podcast #73 - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Rape scene in Hotline Miami 2 and censorship - The Tara Show - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- FINAL FANTASY XIV: Unnecessary Censorship #3 - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Destiny Unnecessary Censorship - Censored Cutscenes - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- What's Cool in China? Censorship, Teenage Couples, Gay Guys - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- YOUR Thumbs UP Vanish! + Google Censorship...a Way Around It - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Zoom Censorship Examples 9-11 to Bosoms Version 2 - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Let's Play The Forest | Part 2 | Censorship! - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- INTEL Museum censorship - Video - February 14th, 2015 [February 14th, 2015]
- Proxy Database - Access Restricted Information, Bypass Censorship! - Video - February 14th, 2015 [February 14th, 2015]
- Criminal Girls Invite Only CENSORED - Punish/Motivate Time/Spanking - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 14th, 2015 [February 14th, 2015]
- Let's Try: Stay Dead Evolution: Nazi Censorship - Video - February 14th, 2015 [February 14th, 2015]
- Loser Laowai on Censorship in China Part 1 - Video - February 14th, 2015 [February 14th, 2015]
- Censorship? - - Project Censored - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Censorship | American Civil Liberties Union - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Censorship Update: My channel is back! - Video - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Alex Kidd In The Enchanted Castle CENSORED - Rock Paper Scissors - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Internet Censorship - Big Brother is Watching Everything - YouTube - Video - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- What is Censorship? - Global Internet Liberty Campaign ... - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- GSC Owner Forces Censorship of Youtube Video - Video - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- Before It's News Lisa Haven Used To Be A Skeptic! (On Chrislam, Facebook Censorship, The Madhi) - Video - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- Mortal Kombat Shaolin Monks CENSORED - Intro Cutscene/Movie - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- Top Censored Gaming - Sexy Edition Vol. 1 - Best Video Game Censorship - Video - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- Soul Calibur CENSORED - Mitsurugi/Arthur Character - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- Censorship Moments in Rooster Teeth - Video - February 17th, 2015 [February 17th, 2015]
- Chinas Internet Censorship Agency Has Its Own Anthem And We Translated It - Video - February 17th, 2015 [February 17th, 2015]
- Manga Censorship Discussion - Video - February 17th, 2015 [February 17th, 2015]
- Top Censored Covers - Gaming Box Art Vol. 1 - Best Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Cars 2 CENSORED - Intro Cutscene/Movie - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Tuff E Nuff CENSORED - Gameplay's Blood - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Carmageddon (PC) CENSORED - Pedestrians & Blood - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Carmageddon (PC) CENSORED - Intro Cutscene/Movie - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Carmageddon 64 CENSORED - Pedestrians & Blood - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Evil Zone CENSORED - Erel Plowse's Outfit - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Pilotwings 64 CENSORED -Turin Shroud's Jesus Christ Face/Everfrost Island - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- D2 CENSORED - Inro Cutscene/Movie - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Another World (Out Of This World) CENSORED - Nudity - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- D2 CENSORED - Jannie's Grandpa Boss/Tentacle - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- OBAMA WANTS INTERNET CENSORSHIP, START A NEW WAR, FORCIBLY VACCINATE YOU, AND SIGN THE TPP. - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Silent Hill CENSORED - Grey Child/Mumbler Enemies - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Mario Party CENSORED - Mini Games/Luigi & Wario Losing - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Breath Of Fire 4 CENSORED - Ursula Dropping Pants For Sailors - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Breath Of Fire 4 CENSORED - Fou-Lu Decapitating Emperor Soniel - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Resident Evil 2 CENSORED - Player Death Scenes/Animations - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]