Latest news with #ArkaMukhopadhyay
Time of India
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
CBFC panel verbally refused to certify KIFF film: Director
1 2 Kolkata: The Dallas-based director of 'Kalponik' told TOI that the revising committee of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) that watched his Bengali film in Mumbai last Friday (July 18) verbally refused to recommend it for certification. Director Arka Mukhopadhyay said the 15-member committee fears that releasing his film will disrupt communal harmony since it feels that, although the movie is a work of fiction, the storyline hints at a probable politician-media nexus when controversies erupt over unearthing Hindu idols on the premises of mosques. CBFC's regional officer in Kolkata, Sushrut Sharma, is waiting for the written communication on this from the CBFC Mumbai office. "An examining committee watched the film in Kolkata. The revising committee meeting was held in Mumbai last Friday," said Sharma. "The protocol now is that the CBFC Mumbai office will send the CBFC Kolkata office written documentation on the observations. We will then share it with the director," he added. Mukhopadhyay's Bengali film, screened in the competitive segment of the Bengali Panorama of the 30th Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) last year, is based on what happens when relics of an ancient temple are unearthed underneath a mosque before an upcoming election. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Up to 70% off | Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo It stars Rajatava Dutta, Shahidur Rehman, and Satakshi Nandy. "At Friday's meeting, I was asked if my film is pointing to the Babri Masjid and Ram Temple controversy. I was quizzed about whether or not my storyline hints at a probable politician-media nexus when controversies erupt over unearthing Hindu idols on the premises of mosques. But I told the committee that mine is a fictional story and is a work of art. The title of the film itself is 'Kalponik', which means imaginary," the engineer-turned-director told TOI. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata According to him, the committee was not convinced. "It felt that my story, told from a foreign lens, may disrupt communal harmony. I was even told that my film shows one particular community in a bad light. I have asked CBFC to give me everything in writing. When I wanted to know if there is anything that could be done to bring the film to the audiences, the answer was 'not the way it is told now'. The committee agreed to consider if I changed the approach or my script. But doing so will turn it into another film. It will then become 'Kalponik 2'," Mukhopadhyay said.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
2024 KIFF film caught in censor crosshairs
1 2 3 Kolkata: A Bengali film, screened at Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) last year and based on what happens when relics of an ancient temple get unearthed underneath a mosque before an election, has been caught in a censorship row. Verbal observations have been made about scenes with a cow and dialogues referring to Hindus. While the director alleged that CBFC has not revealed in writing the reasons for delaying the censorship certificate, sources at the censor office say protocol has been followed and the film has been sent to the chairman keeping the director in the loop. Arka Mukhopadhyay's 'Kalponik' stars Rajatava Dutta, Shahidur Rehman and Satakshi Nandy. The application to CBFC was submitted on June 6 with a verbal request to view the film as soon as possible so that it can be released on the decided date by the producers. "A board was formed and the film was viewed on June 22," Mukhopadhyay said. According to the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, time limits are applicable for certification under various circumstances. Going by this, a maximum of 48 days are required before a certificate is issued. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like So sánh mức trượt giá: Hợp đồng tương lai (CFD) Bitcoin vs Ethereum IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo No production house is supposed to announce a film's release date before it gets the certificate in hand. A June application can never target a July 11 release date if CBFC has to follow its protocol. Besides, it is not keeping into account that there could be disagreements over cuts. "An examining panel has watched the film. A show-cause notice has been sent to the director with recommendations for sending the film to the revising committee," said a source. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata But repeated calls, messages to regional officer of CBFC did not yield any response. According to Mukhopadhyay, CBFC's oral hearing had observations on three scenes. Though the film touches upon subjects like how parties are deliberately confusing mythology and history in contemporary India, no observations were made regarding this during hearing. "Neither was anything mentioned about how the film targeted the right wing," Mukhopadhyay said. But there was an observation about a scene where a teacher in a remote Bengal village asks her students their language, country and religion. "To this, the students mention Hindi, Hindusthan and Hindu. At the hearing, it was told that you won't play the film only in Kolkata. In non-Bengali speaking localities, people might get offended if they watch this portion," Mukhopadhyay said. The second observation was regarding a cow scene where a journalist, in her attempt to stay ahead of the game, stages a photo shoot where a cow is shown being perched up on a tree. The third observation is Dutta's monologue at the end. "For the cow scene, my inspiration was footage of a journalist standing neck deep in the floods to get exclusive footage. At the hearing, CBFC had observations about why I do not yet have a certificate from Animal Welfare Board of India. Though nothing was mentioned about the cow, my team member at the hearing didn't get a good vibe. Everything was verbal. I am in the dark and despite repeated emails, I do not have anything in writing about the concerns they raised," Mukhopadhyay added.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rajatava Dutta's upcoming independent film talks about inequality and polarisation
Rajatava Dutta 's upcoming independent film, Kalponik explores the urgent themes of inequality alongside political and social polarisation that distort the idea of nationhood. The film screened at the Kolkata International Film Festival, Bengali Panorama last year and is now set to release theatrically on 11 July. The film, shot in Purulia, reflects on how faith and tradition can be manipulated for power, making it a highly relevant story for today's times. Expressing his deep connection to the project, Rajatava Dutta said, 'It's an important film in today's time. Everyone should watch it.' He added that despite the film's challenging narrative, the team had a great time working together and put their best efforts into making it a success. Director Arka Mukhopadhyay emphasises the film's relevance: 'The film talks about inequality and polarisation. I felt this topic is very relevant today. ' With a positive reception at film festivals, this independent film now looks forward to reaching a wider audience. Rajatava hopes that viewers will appreciate not just the story but also the important conversations it raises about society.
