Pro-CAA films stuck with censors in Kolkata

KOLKATA: Four pro-CAA ad films have got stuck at the regional office of the Censor Board of Film Certification, which has sought “expert opinion” on them from two city lawyers. Though the films, directed and produced by Sanghamitra Chaudhuri, were submitted for certification in December, they were finally screened at CBFC’s Kolkata office only last week. The examination report is still pending.
“Certifying ads on any Act needs caution,” said a CBFC source.“The same caution is being exercised in this case, too.” TOI got in touch with regional officer Partho Ghosh, but he refused comment.
“I made the ads after Citizenship (Amendment) Act was passed and applied for certification,” Chaudhuri said. The first ad, she added, shows a Muslim woman asking her daughter whether they have to “return to Bangladesh”. The daughter replies they are residents of this country and CAA will give them Indian citizenship.
The second ad shows six people from different religions. “It shows how PM Modi has ensured they get citizenship,” the filmmaker said. The third ad shows Hindus who are worried about not having documents, and insists that showing documents is not mandatory for CAA. The fourth shows a conversation between a Hindu and a Muslim person.