‘Misleading’: CBFC rebuttal after row over certificate for ‘72 Hoorain’ trailer

NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on Thursday said a claim that a trailer of the film, ‘72 Hoorain’ was denied certification by the body was “misleading”, adding that the application was under process.

“Misleading reports are being circulated in certain sections of media that a film and its trailer titled “Bahattar Hoorain (72 Hoorain)” has been refused certification by Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC),” it said in a statement.

“Contrary to the reports, CBFC states that the film “Bahattar Hoorain (72 Hoorain)” was granted ‘A’ certification and the certificate was issued on 4-10-2019.”

It added that at present, the trailer of the said film is “under due process which was applied to CBFC on 19-6-2023 and examined in accordance with the Guidelines issued under Section 5B(2) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952”.

The applicant was asked for requisite documentary submissions under intimation and upon receipt of the same, certification was granted subject to modifications. A show cause notice communicating the modifications was issued to the applicant/filmmaker on 27-6-2023 and the same is pending for the applicant’s response/compliance,” the board said.

Ashoke Pandit, who is the co-producer of 72 Hoorain, on Wednesday questioned the CBFC on its stand. In an interview with ANI, Pandit questioned the CBFC demand to make some changes to the trailer, saying the trailer only comprises of shots from the move.

“As producers, filmmakers of this industry, we have asked a very genuine question. The film to which you have given a censor certificate, which won a national award and was liked, it is from that (fillm) that the shots have been taken in the trailer. If you liked and clapped for the same shots in the film, then what is the problem with the trailer? We need the answer. They have to answer this question,” he said.

Helmed by two-time National Award winner Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan, 72 Hoorain is slated to release on July 7. The film is produced by Gulab Singh Tanwar, Kiran Dagar, and Anirudh Tanwar and is co-produced by Ashoke Pandit. Earlier, the film’s team unveiled the teaser of the film in 10 languages. 72 Hoorain stars Pavan Malhotra and Ameer Bashir in the lead roles.