Recent reports of the removal of Ravinder Bhaker, CEO of the Censor Board (CBFC), have left many stunned. What further shocked the internet was another report claiming that Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s controversial film ‘Animal,’ featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Bobby Deol, was the reason behind Bhaker’s dismissal.
According to reports from Zoom TV, a source revealed that the certification process of ‘Animal’ sparked outrage both within and outside CBFC due to its controversial and misogynistic content.
The source mentioned, “Questions are being raised as to how a film so steeped in violence and abuse and so unapologetically misogynistic could be allowed a censor certificate. Animal breaks many guidelines of censorship. Giving an A certificate and not cutting those objectionable scenes of violence, especially against women, is now raging controversy in the nation and within the I&B ministry.”The source also indicated that this might not be the end of the matter. ‘Bhaker is the first head to roll. More actions might follow.’
Speculations are rife that if these reports are true, ‘Animal Part 2’ titled ‘Animal Park’ may not feature similarly misogynistic, abusive, and problematic content.
While many celebrated the notion that movies filled with misogyny and abuse have no place in the 21st century, some who enjoyed ‘Animal’s regressive and problematic content weren’t pleased. Previously, CBFC faced allegations of corruption when Tamil actor Vishal accused the board of bribery, claiming he paid a bribe of Rs 6.5 lakh to pass his film ‘Mark Antony.’
Regarding ‘Animal,’ criticism has come from various quarters—critics, politicians, and moviegoers—all taking a stand against its violent, abusive, and misogynistic themes. Recently, Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan expressed concern about the film in the Rajya Sabha, condemning its ‘justification of violence and misogyny.’
Ranjan stated, “Cinema is a mirror of society. We have grown up watching it, if you start from Kabir to Pushpa and now a picture is going on ‘Animal’. I won’t be able to tell you that my daughter had so many girls with her who were in college. Studying in the second year. She cried in half the picture and got up from the hall and left.”
She added: “After all, so much violence, so much violence and molestation of women. I don’t like showing such things in pictures. Look at ‘Kabir Singh’, how he treats his wife, people, and society and pictures are also showing him justifying. This is a very thought-provoking topic. These pictures, this violence, in presenting these negative roles, have an impact on our 11th and 12th standard children nowadays. They have started considering it as a role model. Because we are seeing it in pictures, we are seeing this kind of violence in the society too.”
Animal controversy in Parliament; MP says Ranbir’s film made her daughter cry. Your thoughts?#BoycottBollywood #BoycottBollywoodCompletely pic.twitter.com/rCbN4A4UJt
— ROHAN 🇮🇳 (@rrfunner) December 9, 2023
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