CBFC a cultural police, represents backward mindset: Hansal Mehta

Image courtesy- moviestill

Goa: Director Hansal Mehta today alleged that the Censor Board was acting like a cultural police and thwarting promotion of his upcoming film 'Aligarh', which deals with the stigma surrounding homosexuality, by giving its trailer an 'A' certificate.

"This is an attempt to thwart my promotion. They cannot ban the film, because my film does not in any way go against the guidelines of the Cinematograph Act," he told PTI on the sidelines of the maiden Difficult Dialogues conference here.

"This is the cultural police deciding what we should see... I'm furious and very angry, because they've violated my expression," he said.

Mehta, who has directed critically-acclaimed films like 'Shahid' and 'Citylights' in the past, said that there is nothing in the trailer which should attract the 'A' rating and rued that because of the tag, he can only promote his film during screening of adult films and cannot push it during primetime television.

He, however, said that the social media is the big hope, which will ensure attempts to suppress the film are not successful.

He said the film is yet to get a nod from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the board has asked for some "ridiculous cuts", which he is contesting. Sounding optimistic about a favourable ruling from the tribunals, Mehta said the film will not miss its February 26 release date.