Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has been at loggerheads with the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC), popularly known as the censor board, almost throughout his career. In fact, every time he submits a film for clearance, one expects fireworks. His long battle with the board over the anti-smoking warning is also well known.
Since the trailers and teasers of Kashyap's upcoming film, Raman Raghav 2.0, displayed a lot of brutal violence, drug abuse and sex, another war between the two parties was expected.
However, surprisingly, the censors cleared the film with no cuts and an Adults Only certificate. The news was shared by Kashyap himself during the launch of the song ‘Qatl-e-aam’ from the film at a suburban restaurant in Mumbai.
After watching the video of the song, which features elements that have always irked the censors, Anurag Kashyap was asked about his experience with the board for this film. He revealed, “The entire film has been kept intact. It has been cleared by the censors.”
But he did point out the frustration a filmmaker faces if his film is chopped even a bit. “When a filmmaker sends his film to the CBFC, he would always want the complete film to be shown to the audience. So, even if a small part is altered, it is like doing Qatl-e-aam of the film.”
Also present at the launch was the film’s cast, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Vicky Kaushal and Sobhita Dhulipala, and singer Sona Mohapatra, who gave a live performance of the song.