CBFC mutes Hanuman Chalisa in Phillauri, other 'censor' cuts

Anushka Sharma’s second production venture Phillauri hits the theatres on Friday but the film that stars Diljit Dosanjh, Suraj Sharma and Mehreen, was not released without any censor cuts. Reports suggest the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) muted Hanuman Chalisa in the film claiming it would have “hurt religious sentiments”.

A DNA report said a lengthy sequence where Suraj is reciting the Hanuman Chalisa in the bath tub in the presence of Shashi - a ghost (played by Anushka) has been muted as ghosts are supposed to be eradicated not pacified with the recital of the Hanuman Chalisa. “This amounted to hurting of religious sentiments. The CBFC has asked for the Hanuman Chalisa to be removed from the soundtrack. All the audience will hear now is Suraj long droning chant which would be inaudible,” it quoted a source as saying.

“In my opinion it’s not the CBFC’s job to sit in judgment on the content of a film. We can only make amends in the presentation of the content. Not propagating superstition and blind faith falls in the jurisdiction of the state government. If we sat judgement over films on ghosts then we’d have to question why classics like Mahal, Gumnam, Woh Kaun Thi and Lekin were passed,” CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani told the tabloid.

The CBFC has also asked the makers of Phillauri to add a disclaimer at the beginning announcing that they do not subscribe to any of the superstitions shown in the film nor do they believe in ghosts.

Hindustan Times could not independently verify the report.