'Lipstick Under My Burkha': CBFC cites 'audio pornography', 'abusive words' reasons to refuse certification

Pic Courtesy: Movie Still

New Delhi: The entire film fraternity is left baffled over Central Board Film Certification's (CBFC) latest ban on 'Lipstick Under My Burkha'. The censor board has cited various reasons such as sexual scenes, abusive word, lady-oriented among others to stall the screening of this internationally acclaimed film.

'Lipstick Under My Burkha' is helmed by Alankrita Shrivastava and produced by Prakash Jha. It deals with the life of four women—a burqa-clad college girl, a young beautician, a mother of three and a 55-year-old widow who rediscovers her sexuality. It has an impressive cast of Konkona Sen Sharma, Ratna Pathak Shah, Aahana Kumra and Plabita Borthakur in lead roles along with Sushant Singh, Vikrant Massey, Shashank Arora, Vaibbhav Tatwawdi and Jagat Singh Solanki.

According to Times of India.com, the board had objected to alleged 'audio pornography, sexual scenes and abusive words' in the film. The ban has been slammed by the film fraternity. Pahlaj Nihalani has reportedly defended his decision, saying the film had very long explicit scenes and portrays phone sex.

IANS reported that the copy of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) letter to the film`s producer Prakash Jha states: "The story is lady oriented, their fantasy about life. There are continuous sexual scenes, abusive words, audio pornography and a bit sensitive touch about one particular section of society, hence film refused."

Shrivastava, who is in Glasgow, where the film will be screened at Glasgow Film Festival, told IANS: "I am not defeated, disheartened or disillusioned by the CBFC`s refusal to certify `Lipstick Under My Burkha`. I am more determined than ever before to ensure that `Lipstick Under My Burkha` can be watched by Indian audiences."

"I will fight this out till the very end, and do whatever it takes because this is not about my film. The real issue is the systematic suppression of women`s voices and the throttling of freedom of expression," added Shrivastava, who last helmed ‘Turning 30!!!’.

"I will refuse to succumb. In a country where there is so much discrimination against women, so much violence against women, isn`t it essential to listen to women`s stories from their point of view?"

"I believe the decision to refuse certification to our film is an assault on women`s rights," she added.

(With IANS inputs)