CBFC justifies '20 cuts' in Nihalani's 'Rangeela Raja', says film objectifies women

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has justified the '20 cuts' in Pahlaj Nihalani's 'Rangeela Raja'. In an affidavit filed by the Bombay High Court, the CBFC justified the snipping and said that it had taken a strong objection to the glorification of violence and objectification of women in the film.

Earlier this month, Nihalani had approached the Bombay High Court claiming that the cuts suggested by the CBFC were illogical and meaningless. The CBFC, meanwhile hit back, saying that the film depicted rape, adultery and treated women like commodity, using them for sensual pleasures and naming them in obscene terms.

The film body further pointed out how the film glorified the misogynist male lead and sets an extremely wrong example for children.


Nihalani, during his 2-year tenure as the CBFC chairman between 2015-2017, was known to have censored movies. After numerous run-ins and controversies, he was finally dismissed from his position in August 2017, and replaced by lyricist-adman Prasoon Joshi.



Taking action on the film-maker's petition, the High Court directed board to cooperate with the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal in dismissing Nihalani's appeal against the cuts.

Actor Govinda had earlier alleged that some people in the film industry are conspiring against him and preventing him from releasing movies on good platforms.

'Rangeela Raja' stars Govinda and Shakti Kapoor in lead roles. The movie is directed by Sikander Bharti and written and produced by Nihalani himself.

For this movie, Nihalani and the 'Haseena Mann Jayegi' actor will be reuniting after a period of 25 years. The team had earlier collaborated for hit movies like 'Ilzaam', 'Shola Aur Shabnam' and 'Aankhen'.