Dear Pahlaj Nihalani, why don't you just admit that you are homophobic?

 

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) just never gets tired of banning films and of using its scissors on films that people should actually watch. Yes, the ever-so sanskaari Pahlaj Nihalani is at it again. Only this time, it wasn't a Bollywood film. This time Nihalani worked his magic to make sure the critically acclaimed film, The Danish Girl, was at the receiving end.

The Oscar-nominated film, directed by Tom Hooper, was scheduled to be telecast on Sony Le Plex HD on March 26. Guess who got to it? Nihalani. The CBFC cancelled the scheduled telecast because the subject of the movie is controversial and unsuitable for children.

The channel shared its dismay on Twitter saying that they will continue making all necessary efforts to secure the certification.

We know how much you wished to watch The Danish Girl this Sunday & regret the inconvenience caused. We thank you for your constant support. pic.twitter.com/eti2TAxBRV

- Sony Le PLEX HD (@SonyLePLEXHD) March 24, 2017

According to a report by Mumbai Mirror, a CBFC board member said that the whole subject of the movie was controversial. "The whole subject is controversial, and it's unsuitable to be viewed by children. It talks about a man who wants a sex change and has a genital operation to become a woman. The subject is sensitive and how do you edit a subject like that?" the member was quoted in the interview to the daily.

The film had released last year with an 'A' certificate (zero cuts) from the censor board. However, the board member said that every film getting an A certificate for theatrical release has to reapply for television broadcast.

"The Censor Board's job is not to cut but to see each movie individually in its context and under the guidelines provided to us. We are a multicultural nation and we have to maintain a balance. What may be suitable for a metropolis, may not be suitable for a small village," the CBFC member added.

The thing is the film is not at all controversial. It is based on a true story and simply revolves around a man who undergoes a sex change to become a woman.

And this is not the first time, the Censor Board has been scared of the LGBTQ community. It had recently refused to give certification to a Malayalam LGBTQ film Ka Bodyscapes for "glorifying the subject of gay and homosexual relationship".Also read: What's your problem Pahlaj Nihalani, and other thoughts on the escapist behaviour of the Indian Censor Board

And these are not isolated incidents. Time and again, CBFC has showed its homophobic side to the Indian audience. Don't believe us?

Hansal Mehta's Aligarh had to face the wrath of Nihalani as well. The trailer of the film was given an 'A' certificate for purely the mention of the word 'homosexuality' in it. Exactly, just a mere mention got the Censor Board all worked up.

And that is not it. Earlier, a film called Unfreedom was refused certification because it had too much nudity. What it actually had was two girls sleeping on the same bed naked. If you think that was justified because the Indian society will get scandalized by it, then how do you explain muting of the word lesbian in the film Dum Laga Ke Haisha?

It is quite evident that Nihalani and the Censor Board is outright homophobic. Although, the chief has denied that.

In an interview to the Indian Express, Nihalani had denied the claims that he is a homophobic man. "We have no problem or concern with the gender of two people in love, as long as they conduct themselves within the guidelines that have been provided to us," he said.

While talking about Aligarh, he clarified "No cuts are made on the basis of the gender of the people involved. We evaluate films with homosexual content by the same yardstick as films about heterosexual content."

We completely disagree, simply because he keeps on doing this again and again. Maybe he doesn't have the required courage to admit the hatred he has for the LGBTQ community, but his actions are enough to show us that.

We understand the Censor Board being offended by "lady oriented" films, because of the misogynistic attitude our society has. But why can't they just call spade a spade and admit that they don't believe in equal rights?

Also read: Lipstick Under My Burkha is winning big in European film festivals. Meanwhile in India, the censor board is still living in the dark ages

We just have one thing to say to Nihalani, enough is enough. We are simply tired of these antics.