Soni Razdan starrer ‘No Fathers in Kashmir’ still battling to get clearance from CBFC

Soni Razdan starrer film No Fathers in Kashmir is still battling to get clearance from CBFC. The film is Directed by Ashvin Kumar who has earlier been nominated for an Oscar. The film was earlier denied a U certificate forcing the makers to move Film Certification Appellete Tribunal.

After repeated shuttling between these two bodies including multiple committees having seen the film as recent as the end of December, the makers of the film still stand with no final decision on the film .  A source said, “each time a set of absolutely new cuts and reasons have been given to the filmmaker to reject his desired U certificate for the film. So much so that at the last screening for the CBFC, the producers were even declined legal representation and the new set of panel suggested new cuts and brand new reasons completely ignoring their own earlier decision and suggested cuts by a different set of people from the CBFC.

Several reputed personalities known to be quite vocal on social media are now coming forth in support of the film including Dr Shashi Tharoor, filmmaker Pritish Nandy and actress Swara Bhasker have questioned this delay on social media.
Swara tweeted saying, "The film 'No Fathers in Kashmir' - Directed by Academy Award Nominee and two time National Award Winner Ashvin Kumar - has been stuck with the Censor Board for over 6 months now, delaying its release. Film is now going back and forth between CBFC & FCAT. Prasoon Joshi, pls take note!"

Shashi Tharoor said in his tweet, "Oscar nominee & 2-time National Award winner Ashvin Kumar’s new film No Fathers in Kashmir (tipped as 1 of 10 eagerly awaited films of 2019) remains banned over 6 months, delaying its release & forfeiting application for National Awards this year. Unconscionable!"

Speaking about it, actress Soni Razdan Said, “I’m happy that Swara, Shashi Tharoor and Pritish have shared their thoughts in support of the film. It’s an excellent film that totally deserves to be seen. There is no good reason that it shouldn’t. It’s saddening that the censor board seems to think otherwise. I would have thought they would have welcomed the opportunity to put out a story on Kashmir that would help lead to a greater understanding of the issues faced by people there ... after all we want to bridge the gap between truths and half truths, lies and misconceptions do we not ? And this story is told through the eyes of two innocent teenagers, making it all the more poignant and beautiful”.

Director Ashvin Kumar said, “ It takes a lot to speak out fearlessly in the times we live in. Swara Bhaskar, Shashi Tharoor, Pritish Nandy, Soni Razdan have all expressed solidarity with our film. It is a vote for a story that tries to create a sense of empathy in the Kashmir narrative that has only been about fear and hatred. Their support inspires all of us not to back down and keep challenging those who would prefer that reality and truth remains buried”