Madhya Pradesh High Court asks CBFC to consider objections before clearing Kangana Ranaut movie 'Emergency'

The Madhya Pradesh High Court Tuesday refused to pass any direction to stop the release of actor Kangana Ranaut's upcoming movie 'Emergency' which was initially slated to be released on Friday this week..However, the Court in the same breath asked the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to consider the objections raised against the movie before granting censor certificate to the movie. The Court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition challenging the release of the movie.A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf disposed of the PIL after noting that the CBFC was yet to grant censor certificate to the movie. The CBFC told the Court that the movie is still under consideration and it will not be released on September 6..In light of the same, the Court said it will not interfere at this stage and pass any positive order."We have full faith in the Board; in case it commits any error, you always have the right to come back... We are only prejudging the issue at this stage... we will direct the Board to consider the representation against the trailer as well," the Court remarked.The Court then disposed of the petition while directing CBFC to take into consideration the representation from the petitioners against the movie.The representation is to be filed within three days, as per the order."On receipt of the representation, the Board shall consider the objections to the Film and also take expeditious appropriate steps in respect of the Trailer, if so warranted, in accordance with the Act and the Rules framed thereunder before certifying the Film," the Bench said in its order..The PIL was filed by Jabalpur Sikh Sangat and Guru Singh Sabha Indore who said they were representing various Gurdwaras, schools and colleges of Jabalpur and Indore.Advocate Narinder Pal Singh Ruprah, representing the petitioners, had argued on Monday that there was violation of Cinematograph Act in the case as the trailer of the movie showed Amritdari Sikhs killing people accompanied by a dialogue - 'you want votes, we want Khalistan'..During the hearing today, the lawyer said that the trailer itself shows that the movie would have a divisive message."That trailer is very damaging. I am very happy that they have not certified the film. There is something which requires minute examination and consideration but there is something on the face of it...," Ruprah said.However, the Court said the CBFC can examine the trailer as well."We will ask the board to immediately look into that. In any case, the movie is not being released on the 6th now. So far as the trailer is concerned, the board is alive to your issues," Justice Sachdeva said.The Court also asked the counsel to not presume that the movie would divide the communities."The board knows what parameters to follow," it said.On the request to consider including a member of Sikh community or Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in the committee examining the movie, the Court said if the rules permit, the CBFC would follow them."Why do you assume they will not follow the rules," Justice Sachdeva told the counsel representing the petitioner..Pertinently, the Court was also informed that film had been certified last month but the same was put on hold due to the objections. It was also submitted that the certificate was even emailed but the physical copy was not handed over..Advocate Narinder Pal Singh Ruprah, Navtej Singh Ruprah and Sudeep Singh Saini represented the petitioners.Deputy Solicitor General Pushpendra Yadav and advocate Sandeep Shukla represented the Centre and CBFC. Additional Advocate General Amit Seth represented the State of Madhya Pradesh. Advocate Aaqib Kazi represented Manikarnika Films and Kangana Ranaut. Advocate Jubin Prasad appeared for Zee Studios.Advocates Rohan Harne, Akshay Sapre and Aditya Gupta represented Youtube. Advocates Tejas Karia and Siddharth Sharma represented Meta..[Read Order]

​Madhya Pradesh High Court asks CBFC to consider objections before clearing Kangana Ranaut movie 'Emergency'

Madhya Pradesh High Court asks CBFC to consider objections before clearing Kangana Ranaut movie 'Emergency'