In recent developments, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has directed a series of significant alterations to the much-anticipated film Jahangir National University, directed by Vinay Mishra. The film, which stars Ravi Kishan and Piyush Mishra, had originally garnered attention due to its provocative title and poster, which seemed to reference the renowned Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) with the question, ‘Can one university shake the nation?’ However, the CBFC has mandated that the filmmakers remove all allusions to JNU, alongside several notable public figures and institutions, as part of the edit instructions issued.
The CBFC’s decision follows closely on the heels of its move to halt the release of Dev Patel’s Monkey Man in April, a move that already placed the Board under the scrutiny of both industry insiders and the public alike. According to sources familiar with the CBFC’s requisites, all official materials and dialogues in Jahangir National University that make any mention of JNU need to be adjusted. This includes eliminating any references to Nehru. Furthermore, the CBFC has ordered the exclusion of references to NDTV, journalist Ravish Kumar, politician Kanhaiya Kumar, activist Umar Khalid, and Jamia Millia Islamia University. The Board argue that their inclusion could potentially be deemed defamatory or contemptuous.
A considerable part of the alterations includes the removal of a song that was initially part of the film’s soundtrack. The CBFC ruled that the song appears to glorify violence, and thus, needs to be entirely removed from the June 21 release. Further, the film has been subjected to additional modifications to ensure it is perceived clearly as a work of fiction. Sources reveal that all news clips and footage featuring political leaders, MPs, and other dignitaries will need to be extracted from the final cut. Additionally, posters and imagery depicting beef festivals, which were originally part of the storyline, are also to be completely withdrawn.
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The CBFC’s guidelines for the film are comprehensive and critical, aimed at carefully ensuring that the film does not malign any institutions or individuals. A source close to the CBFC stated, “The fundamental premise, as per the CBFC’s policy, is that if the filmmakers claim Jahangir National University to be a work of fiction, it is imperative the narrative does not appear to disparage any real-life entities.”
The scrutinized modifications come as Vinay Mishra’s film continues to attract considerable attention. The film’s edgy title and premise have already sparked discussions and debates around academic freedom, censorship, and the boundaries of artistic expression. Many observers speculate that the strict cuts could be viewed as the CBFC’s way to avoid any legal or political backlash, a concern that has dogged the Board in the past.
The stringency of the CBFC’s orders has provoked responses from various quarters of the entertainment industry and the public. Some criticize the move as excessive censorship and an impediment to creative storytelling, while others view it as a necessary measure to maintain social and political harmony. The Board’s row with the film’s content underscores the ongoing tension between artistic liberties and regulatory oversight.
In conclusion, the CBFC’s directive to alter the Jahangir National University film marks a significant event in the ongoing discourse around film certification and censorship in India. The film’s producers and creative team must now navigate these stringent guidelines to ensure the movie complies with all stipulated changes, which will involve substantial editorial execution and perhaps a rethinking of certain narrative elements. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how filmmakers like Vinay Mishra will respond to such regulatory challenges and whether this will impact the larger landscape of Indian cinema going forward.
