The Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC), reportedly, is yet to certify the Punjabi film Toofan Singh, and the makers of the film have approached the court over the ‘unjust’ delay.
The film, directed by Baghel Singh, was supposed to release on July 15. However, since the censor certificate was not issued, the release had to postponed. At a press conference on August 30, the makers of the film questioned the ‘activities of the Censor Board’, stating that the board had not given any reason for refusing the certification.
The makers, who cry foul at the evident delay of certification, blame the board and have now approached the FCAT tribunal which will see the film in the first week of October. Lawyers, who fought the case of the film Udta Punjab in June this year, have been roped in to fight for Toofan Singh‘s release.
The film is said to be inspired by the life of Jugraj Singh aka Toofan Singh, the Khalistani militant who was killed in an encounter at age 19. Born at a Sri Hargobindpur village in 1971, Toofan had joined the Khalistan Liberation Force. Many of his acts made him popularly known as a ‘good militant’. He was a part of the ‘Sikh movement’ in 1987 and was involved in the planning and assassination of police officer Gobind Ram in Jalandhar. Although the story is set post-1984 (Operation Blue Star), the makers insisted that it had ‘nothing to do with any particular religion or community’.
The producers of the film have said that the film was not about Toofan’s role in the Sikh separatist movement but also his self-styled ‘Robin Hood deeds‘. “Jugraj Singh was a warrior who fought anti-social elements. He got 1,360 girls married, was against dowry, and fought corrupt police officer Gobind Ram. Barring the police officer’s character, the rest is largely fictional,” said producer Dilbagh Singh.
The CBFC had reportedly watched the film on 2 July, deeming it a ‘glorification of anti-national elements’ and the Khalistan movement. The producers had met CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani, following which they approached the revising committee. On July 15, eight of the 15-member revising committee also rejected the film.
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Incidentally, the CBFC has gained a reputation for hampering the release of several films this year over films like Udta Punjab, Malayalam films Kathakali and Ka Bodyscapes. 31st October, a film based on the aftermath of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination, was cleared by the Censor Board after a four-month delay. Starring Soha Ali Khan and Vir Das, the film which deals with the plight faced by the Sikh community after the killing, was deemed controversial by the CBFC and initially awarded an ‘A’ certificate.
Toofan Singh, produced by Royal Cine Arts, was shot in 16 months, mostly on sets in a bit to recreate Punjab from 1990s. The film stars newcomer Ranjit Bawa in the lead.
Feature Image Courtesy: YouTube