The simmering discontent in the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) came out in the open on Thursday with two prominent members slamming Chairman Pahlaj Nihalani for his alleged "dictatorial" functioning and ignoring the voices of the majority.
While film-maker Ashoke Pandit went to the extent of calling Nihalani a "tyrant," another member Chandraprakash Dwivedi accused him of disregarding "collective" decisions of the Board.
In a Facebook post, Pandit said Anushka Sharma's NH10 was a victim of Nihlani's "crass functioning."The film's release was postponed by a week due to the Board's objection to certain scenes in it. It will now hit the screens on Friday.
"Nihalani's diktats are supported neither by logic nor law, nor does he appreciate the intelligence of the filmmaker & the audience. He literally functions like an archaic monarch treating CBFC and its office like his own fiefdom," Pandit said in a letter posted on Facebook.
In his letter, Pandit claimed that other members — like Dwivedi, Mihir Bhutala and Nandini Sardesai — were also upset by Nihalani's diktats.
At the same time, Dwivedi also fired a strongly-worded letter lamenting that collective decisions of the Board were being ignored and sought an urgent meeting to address "uncomfortable issues".
"I have started feeling uncomfortable for being a part of an esteemed institution where, collective decision of the board is ignored or collective voice is unheard," he said.
In an apparent reference to hurdles faced by Hollywood film Fifty Shades of Grey in getting clearance for release in India, Pandit said Nihalani's "ridiculous diktats and autocratic functioning" had made CBFC a laughing stock.
"The biggest victim of his warped worldview is the Hollywood films, which are finding it difficult to get a clearance through the certification board because it does not suit the absent sensibilities of Nihalani. Films after films are becoming innocent victims of his mindless tyranny. The recent victim of his crass functioning is NH-10," he wrote in the letter.
The Board has been embroiled in controversies since Nihalani was appointed following leela Samson's resignation. A circular issued by him, banning cuss words triggered widespread criticism and was subsequently put on hold.
In his letter, Dwivedi said it was resolved that thecircular issued by chairman or the office of the CBFC, banning certain words, will not be implemented till there is a detailed discussion.
"However the said circular in discussion was implemented and cuts were given regarding cuss words. I am also informed that your goodself was the presiding officer for the revision committee," Dwivedi wrote.