Besharam Rang Controversy : Censor Board Was Pressurized By The Ministry, Says Former Chief Pahlaj Nihlani —

Yesterday, we reported that the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC) suggested changes to Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone starrer Pathaan amidst the Besharam Rang controversy. This has come as a shock to many that the CBFC had to suggest changes as per the political atmosphere around the film. Now, the former chief of CBFC, Pahlaj Nihalani, expressed that the CBFC must have been pressurised by the ministry.

Pahlaj Nihalani told Etimes, "There's no guideline that states that a colour can be cut. You can suggest changes if there’s vulgarity or obscenity. But if they ask for cuts because of colour, it would be the wrong procedure. There could be pressure from the ministry... Pathaan is a victim of controversy. The CBFC must have been pressured by the ministry to delete this portion of saffron colour. Otherwise, they had cleared the costume and the shot in the trailer."

He added, “It is the committee’s right to decide what cuts and modifications are needed. They will have to see the revised version. Prasoon Joshi might have given a statement, but he has no right to watch Pathaan with the examining committee. He must have got pressure from the ministry to see the film carefully because of the saffron colour. If they suggest a cut because of color, then it would be the wrong procedure."