| Film | CBFC (EC) |
CBFC (RC) |
Doordarshan National TV Network(DD) | High Court (HC) |
Supreme Court (SC) | Outcome |
Waves of Revolution |
Film shown underground during Emergency “U” Certificate without cuts after Emergency ends. |
Screens on DD in 1977-78. In 2001 under BJP rule DD steals footage for use in a pro-BJP film on Emergency |
A case against theft of footage filed against DD | Film screened during Emergency underground in
India and abroad from 1975 to 1977. In 1977 after Emergency ends certified “U”. Screened on DD in 1978. A case against DD for stealing footage from this film awaits hearing in the High Court |
||
| Prisoners of Conscience 1978 | Asks for cuts | “U” without cuts | "U" certificate without cuts after letter from Satyajit Ray | |||
A Time to Rise |
Asks for cuts citing friendly relations with foreign states | “U” without cuts | Gets “U” Certificate without cuts after it is pointed out that the National Film Board of Canada distributes the film so obviously Canada is not that “upset”. | |||
| Bombay Our City 1985 National Award for Best Non-FeatureFilm |
“U” without cuts | Rejects as “unsuitable for telecast” | Orders DD to telecast | Upholds High Court verdict in 1989 | DD complies with the court order but broadcasts the film at 11 PM. The film runs past midnight. | |
In Memory of Friends National Award for Best Investigative Documentary |
Asks for cuts Grounds include:“law and order” | “U” without cuts | Rejects as "unsuitable for telecast" | Orders DD to telecast at prime time | DD complies with court order and the film is broadcast at prime time (9 PM) on DD Metro. No law and order problems reported from anywhere in the country. | |
| In the Name of God 1992 National Award for Best Investigative Documentary |
Asks for cuts Grounds include:“law and order” | “U” without cuts | Orders DD to telecast in 1997 | DD complies with the court. Film is broadcast at prime time (9
PM) on DD 1. No law and order problems result. Hindutva
groups at home and abroad continue to threaten |
||
| Father, Son and Holy War 1995 National Awards for Best Investigative Film, and Best Film on Social Issues |
Asks for cuts Grounds include:“law and order” | Asks for one cut in Part 1 Gives “A” Appelate Tribunal issues "U" without cuts for Part 1 |
Rejects telecast on grounds of “law and order | Orders DD to broadcast in 2001. After SC reverses the order a new bench of the High Court in 2004 again orders DD to broadcast within 6 weeks. |
Overturns the HC order but asks DD to review the film in 2001 After a second order from the HC, DD again goes in appeal in the SC. |
As ordered by SC, DD forms a review panel which unanimously recommends
telecast but Prasar Bharati , headed by the Hindutva ideologue MV Kamath
rejects
the
film and a new round of litigation begins. DD National telecasts the film on October 8 2006 at 10 AM |
| War and Peace 2002 Best Film Mumbai Intl. Film Festival 2002 National Award for Best Non-feature, 2004 |
Asks for 6 cuts Grounds include “law and order |
RC asks for total ban. |
Submitted to DD for telecast following National Award in 2004 | Orders CBFC to grant "U" without cuts |
CBFC complies with the court and issues a “U” certificate
in April 2003. Film is screened widely across the country without facing
any “law
and order” problems. Finally DD National agrees to telecast the film at 10.30 AM on Sunday Oct 15th 2006 |