The internationally-acclaimed film, 'Lipstick Under My Burkha' that was refused certification by Central Board of Film Certification on the grounds of being 'lady-oriented' has been awarded an 'A' certificate by the tribunal. The Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) has directed the CBFC to grant the award-winning film an 'A' certificate with some additional and voluntary cuts.
Director Alankrita Shrivastava and producer Prakash Jha appealed the decision of no certification meted out by CBFC. Following this, FCAT directed CBFC to release the movie, with with a few cuts and an 'A' certification.
FCAT believed that examining and revising committee have 'misdirected themselves in denying certification on the ground that the story of the film is women oriented'.
Talking about FCAT's decision, a source close to the development added, "There cannot be any embargo on a film being women-oriented or containing sexual fantasies and expression of the inner desires of women."
“In addition to the voluntary cuts by the appellant, the FCAT suggested reductions or deletions to be carried out to reduce the sex scenes without affecting the film. It essentially would mean not showing a prolonged sex act which is even otherwise not in conformity with the guidelines requiring such scenes to be kept the minimum,” the source further added.
As per the diktat, the director will have to make the suggested cuts and remove a reference to the word 'prostitute' in the film.
Talking about FCAT's decision, director Alankrita Shrivastava said, "Of course I would have loved no cuts, but the FCAT has been very fair and clear. I feel that we will be able to release the film without hampering the narrative or diluting its essence."
CREDITS: PTI, AFP and DECCAN CHRONICLE