The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) issued a firm denial on Thursday, refuting widespread media reports that claimed it had ordered specific edits to the blockbuster Hindi film Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh. The ministry asserted that no instructions were issued by the government to mute words or revise dialogues in the theatrical cut of the movie.
Ministry's Official Clarification on the Certification Process
In an official statement, the I&B Ministry directly addressed the claims of its intervention. "No directions have been issued by the Ministry in this matter," it stated. The ministry provided a detailed clarification on the film certification process, explaining that the alterations under scrutiny were initiated by the filmmakers themselves.
The ministry elaborated, "The changes in the revised version of the film were proposed by the applicants/producers themselves and are being examined by the CBFC under the routine certification process prescribed in the Cinematograph Act and Rules." This positions the revision as a standard procedural step rather than a result of external pressure.
Revisions Align with Established CBFC Guidelines
Further explaining the nature of permissible changes, the ministry underscored that any revisions are strictly governed by existing norms. "The revisions were permitted in accordance with CBFC Guidelines, which require that visuals or words contemptuous of racial, religious or other groups are not presented," the statement read.
It added that the process was carried out as per Rule 31 of the amended Cinematograph Act, reinforcing that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) operates within a defined legal framework. The ministry's clarification aims to distinguish between routine statutory examination by the CBFC and direct governmental orders, which it insists were not given.
Background of the Controversy and Media Reports
The controversy erupted after several media reports suggested that the word "Baloch" was muted in a revised theatrical version of Dhurandhar. There were claims that theatres had been instructed to replace the film's digital print following directives from the ministry.
However, the I&B Ministry's latest statement directly counters these narratives. It emphasizes that the examination of the revised print is an integral part of the CBFC's routine statutory process. The ministry's firm denial seeks to put an end to speculation about government overreach into creative content, framing the entire episode as a normal part of film certification governed by long-standing laws and guidelines.
