Arjun Rampal and Diljit Dosanjh’s film Ghallughara secures A certification despite 21 cuts from CBFC 21 : Bollywood News

Arjun Rampal and Diljit Dosanjh are set to star in an upcoming film tentatively titled Ghallughara. However, the film has faced some challenges in the certification process. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has granted the film an A certification with 21 cuts. Directed by Honey Trehan, the film is dedicated to the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a Sikh human rights activist during the insurgency in Punjab in the 1990s. It explores certain fictionalized and dramatized elements.

Arjun Rampal and Diljit Dosanjh’s film Ghallughara secures A certification despite 21 cuts from CBFC

The CBFC justified the cuts based on its guidelines for film certification. They deemed certain parts of the film and dialogues as provocative, communal, inciting violence, and potentially radicalizing Sikh youth. They also raised concerns about the film's impact on the integrity, sovereignty of India, and its friendly relations with foreign states. Consequently, the CBFC directed the removal of specific dialogues, the disclaimer of the film, and its title.

RSVP Movies (Unilazer Ventures), feeling aggrieved by the cuts imposed by the CBFC, has filed an appeal before the Bombay High Court under Section 5C of the Cinematograph Act. The appeal challenges the cuts on the grounds of violating Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India and exceeding the scope of Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act. The matter has been scheduled for a hearing on July 14, 2023, before Hon'ble Justice RI Chagla at 2:30 pm.

It is worth noting that the film was initially submitted for certification to the CBFC in December 2022. However, the certification process faced significant delays, and even after three months had passed, there was no response from the CBFC. In May 2023, RSVP filed a writ petition before the Bombay High Court seeking directions to the CBFC to decide on the application for certification. During the hearing, the CBFC assured that a decision would be provided by May 26, 2023.

However, when the decision was finally received, it proposed numerous cuts and modifications to the film. In response, the appeal under Section 5C of the Cinematograph Act was filed before the Bombay High Court, opposing all the modifications suggested by the CBFC. The appeal is currently pending.

Also Read: Diljit Dosanjh starrer Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra’s biopic moves High Court