I didn’t think there would be another film which would land into controversy so soon after Adipurush. Well, this is Bollywood controversies are daily life. A new film called 72 Hoorain has been the talk of the town because apparently our dear censor board has refused to certify the trailer of the film, which has not landed well with many including me. So, what is the issue about? Before that let’s find out about the makers of the film. 72 Hoorain is directed by Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan, a two-time National Award winner. The film has been produced by Gulab Singh Tanwar, Kiran Dagar, and Anirudh Tanwar, with Ashoke Pandit serving as a co-producer. Everything looks so positive then why is the film is such a mess? Let’s talk about it.
72 Hoorain: Why Is The Censor Board Not Certifying The Film’s Trailer?
On June 19th the makers of the film applied the CBFC for the trailer’s certification. However, a few days later there were reports claiming that the censor board has refused to certify the film’s trailer. Co-producer Ashoke Pandit was petrified. He expressed his shock and disappointment on Instagram. His disbelief came from the fact that the film is a National Award winner and still faced this fate. This of course didn’t sit well with many and became a whole thing.
Pandit made a direct appeal to Anurag Thakur, the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, and Prasoon Joshi, the chairperson of the CBFC. He urged them to take action against the individuals who are blocking creative forces. His exact words were, “who are undermining creative independence and freedom of expression”. However, the CBFC responded by saying that the reports the board rejected the film’s trailer are false and the matter is still under due procedures.
As the film deals with topics like violent terrorism and shows them quite explicitly the film had received an ‘A’ rating on October 4, 2019. Chauhan had won the National Film Award for Best Direction for this film in 2021. After the application was submitted on June 19th, the trailer was examined under to the guidelines outlined in the Cinematograph Act 1952. The board asked the applicant to produce some required documentation. With certain modifications, the certification was granted.
A show-cause notice was issued to the applicant on June 27, 2023. A response or compliance from the applicant/filmmaker is awaited by the board which is why the matter is still pending. The CBFC emphasized that misleading reports should not be entertained or spread while the matter is still undergoing due process.
The film screened at the 2019 International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa where it won the ICFT-UNESCO GANDHI MEDAL Special Mention. However, the film has obviously faced criticism from the Muslim community as they claim the film presents them in a bad light. Although, most of the people assure us that the film is a deep study on the manipulation of young Muslim kids by terrorist organization by promising them a paradise and 72 hoors (companions) to carry out acts of jihad against non-Muslims and commit acts of violence. The film highlights the intricate relationship between faith, extremism, and the consequences of radicalization.
72 Hoorain is slated to release in theatres on 7th July 2023, this date might change depending on the censor board’s decision.
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