**Bombay High Court Orders CBFC to Certify ‘Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi’ Without Cuts**
The Bombay High Court has instructed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to grant certification for the film “Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi” for its theatrical release, without any cuts or modifications. This decision came after a plea from the filmmakers, who challenged the CBFC’s refusal to certify the film, which is inspired by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
During the hearing, the bench, comprising Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Neela Gokhale, noted that the CBFC had repeatedly failed to comply with certification requirements. After viewing the film over the weekend, the judges concluded that there were no grounds for denying the certification.
Senior Advocate Ram Apte, representing the CBFC, raised concerns about potential obscenities and defamation towards the Chief Minister. However, when questioned by the bench, Apte admitted he had not seen the film. The court found no evidence of obscenity or defamatory content, suggesting that the CBFC might consider adding a disclaimer indicating that the film is a creative work based on fictional characters. The filmmakers provided a revised disclaimer, which the court accepted.
Despite the CBFC’s insistence that the film could tarnish Yogi Adityanath’s image, the bench stated they had reviewed the scenes in question and found nothing objectionable. The filmmakers, represented by advocates Ravi Kadam, Satatya Anand, and Nikhil Aradhe, highlighted that the CBFC initially requested 29 cuts, which were later reduced to 21, but the filmmakers refused to accept these alterations and sought the court’s intervention.
The court pointed out that the film is based on the book “The Monk Who Became Chief Minister,” and when asked if he had read it, Apte responded negatively. The filmmakers’ legal team emphasized that the book is widely available in national and international libraries, serving as the film’s inspiration.
The CBFC referenced a case from the Madras High Court regarding defamation, but the court clarified that the film is based on publicly accessible material and cannot be prohibited from release. Additionally, the filmmakers cited a precedent from the Bombay High Court, affirming that a film cannot be denied certification simply because it is based on a real person or events.
In conclusion, the Bombay High Court’s ruling underscores the importance of creative expression in cinema, affirming that the film “Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi” will be released without censorship.
**FAQ**
*Q: What is the main issue regarding the film “Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi”?*
A: The main issue was the CBFC’s refusal to certify the film due to concerns about obscenity and potential defamation of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, which the Bombay High Court ultimately dismissed.
