Om Puri’s last film Rambhajjan Zindabad to get ‘A’ certificate and new name

Overruling the Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) refusal to certify late actor Om Puri’s last film “Rambhajjan Zindabad”, the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) has recommended an adult certification for the film with a new title “Omprakash Zindabad”.

The film was denied certification by the CBFC, colloquially known as the Censor Board, ostensibly for being “a satire on rape”, for “explicit and abusive language”, and for references to “castes and communities”.

In its order, the FACT, a tribunal that hears the appeals filed by film makers or producers who are aggrieved by the CBFC’s orders, also reproached the CBFC for denying certification to films that are eligible for ‘A’ (Adult) certificate.

“We commend to the CBFC that if a movie examined by it is capable of receiving certification with certain cuts, deletions, modifications and or additions in the disclaimer, then the CBFC may consider apprising the appellant of the same,” the FACT headed by Justice Manmohan Sarin has said in its order.

Nihalani, who had been quoted by publications stating that the filmmakers were taking advantage of the late actor Om Puri’s name, could not be reached for his comment.

In its order on Omprakash Zindabad, a satire based in Uttar Pradesh on the issue of compensation given to rape victims, the FCAT has noted that the film’s producers have agreed to changes, deletions and muting of objectionable words, along with a change in title, and “deserves to be granted” an A certificate.

The film’s title has been changed to Omprakash as a tribute to the late actor. As many as 19 cuts and edits have been made to the film, which was slated for a January release; among these are muting the words “izzat” (honour) “petticoat” and replacing the words “forward and backward” with “amir and gareeb” (rich and poor).