The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has informed the Madras High Court that it will conduct a fresh screening of Manushi, the controversial Tamil film directed by Gopi Nainar and produced by acclaimed filmmaker Vetri Maaran. The film, starring Andrea Jeremiah with music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, had its certification previously denied, prompting a legal challenge from the makers. The next hearing on the matter is scheduled for June 17.
The CBFC’s decision to reassess Manushi was conveyed during court proceedings on June 11, as reported by The Hindu. The rewatch aims to evaluate the film’s contentious elements, which had led to its earlier rejection.
At the heart of Manushi lies a politically charged narrative: the story of a woman falsely accused of terrorism, with the film exploring themes of state violence and custodial brutality. These depictions reportedly triggered concerns from the CBFC, who initially felt the film painted the state government in a negative light and could potentially mislead audiences on matters related to communist ideology.
Vetri Maaran, known for his socially conscious cinema, pushed back against the CBFC’s decision, filing a petition that questioned the lack of transparency in the board’s certification process. According to the petition, the CBFC had not provided “clear reasons or specific concerns” for denying certification. He also noted that neither he nor director Gopi Nainar was given a chance to respond or revise the film accordingly.
In his appeal to the court, Vetri Maaran emphasised his openness to cooperation. He stated that he was “willing to make changes, including the removal or alteration of scenes deemed inappropriate—provided that the objections were clearly communicated.”
