Defence ministry to review Aiyaary before CBFC gives clearance?

Neeraj Pandey’s Aiyaary is scheduled to hit the screens in less than a week's time and it seems the film is facing an obstacle in getting a clearance.

The defense ministry has demanded to review the film, according to a report in timeofindia.com, a news website. Interestingly, the film is still awaiting a clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

“Since Aiyaary is set against the army backdrop, the defense ministry wants to review the film,” the report quoted a source.

Going by the film's trailers, Aiyaary deals with the corruption in the defense sector. Malhotra, who plays an army officer, is accused of espionage and is on the run from his own mentor, played by Bajpayee. 

The ministry's demand brings us back to similar questions raised during the Padmaavat row — what is the purpose of having a censor board if other organisations review a film too? The CBFC is officially supposed to be the sole body with the authority of clearing films.

A few months back, the CBFC had set up a team of historians to review the contents of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat, after the film and those associated with it met with a series of violent protest and death threats for allegedly hurting the sentiments of the Rajputs. 

As of now, Aiyaary is scheduled to be released on 9 February. The film will clash with Pad Man, starring Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor and Radhika Apte, at the box office.