Bombay High Court Faces Dilemma Over CBFC Certification for Kangana Ranaut's 'Emergency'

The Bombay High Court declined to direct the CBFC to issue a certification for Kangana Ranaut's film 'Emergency', citing an order from the MP High Court. The CBFC has been asked to decide by September 18, with the next hearing scheduled for September 19.

Amid controversy surrounding actor-politician Kangana Ranaut's upcoming film, 'Emergency', the Bombay High Court on Wednesday stated it could not direct the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue a certificate as it would contradict an order from the MP High Court. The CBFC has been instructed to take a decision by September 18.

The next hearing in the case is set for September 19. Zee Entertainment Enterprises, the co-producer of 'Emergency', had approached the Bombay High Court seeking the release of the film and the issuance of a censor certificate.

A petition claimed the CBFC had arbitrarily and illegally withheld the film's censor certificate. The MP High Court had previously directed the CBFC to consider representations made by Sikh groups who had filed a petition.

The Bombay High Court emphasized that it was not dismissing the petition and noted that a one-week delay wouldn't be catastrophic. The court criticized arguments that should have been presented before the MP High Court and questioned how groups could deem the film objectionable without viewing it.

Highlighting the legal complexities, the court stated that directing the CBFC to issue a certificate would violate another High Court's order. Kangana Ranaut's production house argued they wouldn't alter the film and would release it as sealed by the CBFC.

On August 8, 2024, the CBFC requested the film's producers to make changes. Revised versions of 'Emergency' were submitted on August 14, and by August 29, the CD was sealed, and a certificate was prepared.

Kangana Ranaut addressed the delays on social media, explaining the certification was stalled despite receiving CBFC clearance due to death threats against Censor Board members.

(With inputs from agencies.)