As dust settled down over the row between makers of Bollywood film Udta Punjab and the CBFC, an LGBT activist here has locked horns with the Maharashtra Censor Board of Theatres over his Marathi play.
MCBT chairman and veteran actor Arun Nalawade however said the play, which has been certified for ‘A’ alongwith some cuts, will be re-examined.
14 cuts suggested
Bindumadhav Khire, founder of Samapathik Trust, which works for the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, has opposed 14 cuts suggested by the board to his play Fredy.
He said: “I submitted the script 11 months ago, and recently the board replied with suggestion of 14 cuts and gave it an ‘A’ (adults only) certificate.”
“I agree that there are some cuss-words in the play, but the character is abusive and arrogant and certain language is a must for such a character,” said Mr. Khire.
The play is “a black comedy” dealing with homosexuality and masculinity as portrayed in Bollywood, with an actor from the film industry as its central character, he said. “While writing on homosexuality, one cannot omit the sexual content,” he said. “The board should understand the LGBT cause, then only it can look beyond suggesting cuts and understand the subject.” He said, “If the board has given me ‘A’ certificate, it should allow me to go ahead with the original script as the play will then only be for the adult audience.”
Mr. Nalawade said: “The play did not come to me, but I will check who examined the script and suggested the cuts. I will refer the script to another member.” —PTI
Playwright Bindumadhav Khire has opposed 14 cuts suggested by the board to his play Fredy
