After Padmavati, will Salman Khan’s Tiger Zinda Hai release face the music?

Mumbai: Central Board of Film Certification headed by lyricist Prasoon Joshi, turned down application by makers of Padmavati seeking to expedite certification process of the movie which was slated to hit the silverscreen on December 1. And now latest buzz suggests that Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif starrer Tiger Zinda Hai too may face the music.

The CBFC said that movies will be reviewed and certified as per set norms by following a chronological order. According to a new rule, filmmakers are expected to send a copy of the film 68 days before the proposed or desired date of release to avoid hiccups during the certification process.

And now that Padmavati release has been indefinitely postponed, reports suggest that Salman’s Tiger Zinda Hai too may need some more time to get a clearance from the CBFC. If this turns out to be true, then, the Ali Abbas Zafar directorial may not release on December 22.

However, Joshi on Monday said the Board was trying to follow a process of dialogue vis-a-vis the stalemate surrounding Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film Padmavati, whose release has been delayed because of opposition from conservative groups.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the inaugural function of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) near Panaji, Joshi said: "We are trying to follow processes. Instead of arguments, attempts are being made to have a dialogue on the issue."

Joshi had earlier criticised Bhansali for screening the film without certificate.

“It is disappointing that the film 'Padmavati' is being screened for the media and getting reviewed on national channels without the CBFC having seen or certified the film. This compromises the role of systems and balances that are part of a functioning industry,” said Joshi.

“It's myopic to treat the certification process haphazardly to suit convenience. On one hand, holding the CBFC responsible and pressurising to accelerate the process. And on the other hand, attempt to subvert the very process, sets an opportunistic precedent,” he added.

(With IANS inputs)