Director Ameer Sultan Returns to Spotlight with 'Mounam Pesiyadhe' Re-release, Sparks Censorship Debate
Director Ameer Sultan has made a notable return to public attention as his acclaimed romantic drama 'Mounam Pesiyadhe' was re-released in theaters for Valentine’s Day. The film, featuring a stellar cast including Suriya, Trisha Krishnan, Nandha, and Laila, continues to be celebrated for its innovative and heartfelt portrayal of love and relationships. In a recent interview tied to the re-release, Ameer delved into the ongoing censorship controversy that emerged following his earlier film 'Jana Nayagan', with his pointed remarks about the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) now dominating industry discussions.
Ameer Sultan Questions CBFC Member Selection Process
In an exclusive conversation with Cinema Express, Ameer Sultan raised significant concerns about the appointment of members to the censor board. He asserted that many individuals are selected based on their favorable connections with the central government rather than their professional expertise or qualifications. According to Ameer, there is a lack of transparency regarding the eligibility criteria for these positions, which he described as honorable roles that should be merit-based. He explained that the current system often leads to subjective certification, where members' personal preferences—such as a fondness for comedy or an aversion to violence—unduly influence their decisions, resulting in inconsistent outcomes for filmmakers.
Comparing 'Aadhi Bhagavan' and 'Jailer' to Expose Certification Inconsistencies
To illustrate his belief that politics infiltrates the censorship process, Ameer Sultan drew a stark comparison between his own film 'Aadhi Bhagavan', starring Ravi Mohan, and the blockbuster 'Jailer', featuring Rajinikanth. He noted that 'Aadhi Bhagavan' contained no extreme violence or overtly sensual scenes, yet it received an 'A' certificate, restricting it to adult audiences. In contrast, he highlighted that 'Jailer' included a graphic scene where the hero attacks a villain with a hammer, complete with visible bloodshed, but was granted a 'U/A' certificate, allowing wider viewership. Through this example, Ameer argued that the certification process lacks consistency and is, in his words, "indeed filled with politics."
The re-release of 'Mounam Pesiyadhe' has not only revived nostalgia for the film but also amplified Ameer Sultan's vocal critique of the CBFC, sparking broader conversations about fairness and transparency in India's film certification system. His comments challenge the industry to reconsider how censorship decisions are made and who holds the power to shape them.
