Bollywood actor Adil Hussain, whose film Un-Freedom failed to get a certificate for release in India, today said banning the same-sex love story was “baseless”.
Directed by Florida-based director Raj Amit Kumar, the movie is a thriller that chronicles a lesbian love story set in New York and New Delhi. Adil plays the father of the Indian protagonist in the movie.
“It does not need to be banned,” declared Hussain. “Today people get everything on the Internet. By banning the movie we are showing disrespect towards the nation’s progressiveness. It is underestimating the wisdom of the citizen. Things don’t work like that anymore.”
Censor board officials had said that the movie had earlier been denied a certificate by the Examining Committee (EC), but later a Revising Committee (RC) had agreed to give it an adult – ‘A’ certificate with cuts.
On hearing that certain scenes would be censored in the final cut, however, the filmmaker approached the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) which upheld the decision of the Examining Committee.
The board is currently already facing the ire of Bollywood filmmakers and actors for banning a list of 28 objectionable words.
The actor feels that the claims made by the board––that the film might create a “riot-like situation” and it shows an “unnatural love” were unfounded.
“Topics like these are no more a taboo in our country. We have a rich history and the beautiful Ajanta and Ellora caves are the best example of it. Showcasing such movies will help a nation to evolve,” justified Hussain.
The film is expected to hit North American theatres on May 29.
In a long line of censor cuts, the Hollywood erotic romance Fifty Shades of Grey had also failed to get a clearance for its release in India from the board.
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