Mukesh Bhatt lashes out at CBFC for 'U/A certificate to 'Jungle Book'

Mumbai: Bollywood producer Mukesh Bhatt says it is a shame on the country if a film like "The Jungle Book" is given 'U/A' certificate.

Bhatt also suggested some serious thinking is needed about the censor board. "The Jungle Book", based on Rudyard Kipling's stories based in India, is an American fantasy-adventure film directed by "Iron Man" helmer Jon Favreau, written by Justin Marks, and produced by Walt Disney Pictures.

The Indian audience will get to watch the movie from tomorrow, a week before the US release.

"That ('The Jungle Book' getting U/A certificate) shows how crazy this country has become. We have lost the marbles, sorry to say that. If 'Jungle Book' is getting U/A certificate, then the government should do some serious thinking about CBFC," Bhatt told reporters at Gima awards here last night.

"If you ask me CBFC should be put in garbage can, that is the right place for the CBFC," he said. The Central Board of Film Certification has given the "Jungle Book" a U/A certificate for being "too scary".

When asked about CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani's reasoning behind the U/A certification, Mukesh said, "I am not talking about Nihalani. He is just a stooge of the people who have put him there. There has to be some radical thinking. If a 'Jungle Book' can get a U/A, shame on India."

Meanwhile, actor Ayushmann Khurrana too is surprised with "The Jungle Book" getting U/A certificate.

"It's unbelievable. I don't know what's the criteria behind the certification. May be, it is because of the 3D images of Bhageera and Sherkhan bouncing-off the screen. These days kids are used to reading story books and watching Captain America, and after all these are animated films," he said.

The singer-actor recollected that as a child he used to be excited while watching the "Jungle Book" series on the small screen.