Actor Gajendra Chauhan, whose tenure as Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) chairman ends on Saturday, has come out in support of CBFC's decision to refuse certification to Malayalam film Ka Bodyscapes for "glorifying the subject of gay and homosexual relationship".
Chauhan says the decision is right as the film puts a religion and a deity in a bad light.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had refused certification to director Jayan Cherian's Ka Bodyscapes. In a Facebook post, Cherian had shared the letter from the CBFC, where the reason for refusal of certificate has been given.
It read: "The film is explicit of scene offending Hindu sensibilities depicting vulgarity and obscenity through the movie. The religion of 'Hindu' is portrayed in a derogatory manner especially Lord Hanuman (shown in a poor light as gay) which may cause law and order problem in the society."
Chauhan, best known for playing Yudhisthir in BR Chopra's Mahabharat, told IANS over the phone from Mumbai: "The decision is right. I have seen its teaser. No one has the permission to show other person's God in a bad light. If someone will show my God negatively then I will have an objection."
Ka Bodyscapes tells the story of three young people, Haris, a gay painter; Vishnu, a rural kabaddi player and their friend Sia, an activist, who refuse to conform to dominant norms of femininity, struggle to find space and happiness in a conservative Indian city.
Chauhan also questioned - Why doesn't that person show his God in a bad light? Why doesn't he make a film like this on his God?
"No matter from which religion you come from, if you have guts then make a film like that on your own God. Then we will understand that you have some courage. If you will show our God in a wrong shape then there will definitely be an objection," he added.
Last month, Alankrita Shrivastava's Lipstick Under My Burkha was also denied a certificate by CBFC.