The Bombay High Court on Thursday (September 19) expressed displeasure over the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) sitting “over the fence” in issuing certification to the Kangana Ranaut-starrer “Emergency” and asked the censor board to take a decision by September 25.

Noting that creative freedom and freedom of expression cannot be curtailed, the court said that the censor board cannot refuse to certify a film just over the apprehension of law and order problems. It questioned whether the CBFC thought that people of this country are so naive to believe everything that is shown in a movie.

The HC was hearing a petition filed by Zee Entertainment Enterprises seeking direction to the CBFC to issue a certificate for the film “Emergency”.

“You (CBFC) have to take a decision one way or the other. You must have the courage to say this film cannot be released. At least then we will appreciate your courage and boldness. We don’t want the CBFC to sit on the fence,” a bench of Justices B P Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla said.

The movie was slated to release on September 6. However, the release was delayed following opposition by Sikh organisations including the Shiromani Akali Dal accusing that the movie was misrepresenting the community and getting historical facts wrong. The HC, on September 4, refused to grant urgent relief and directed the CBFC to consider the objections by the Sikh community and then issue certification by September 18.

CBFC counsel Abhinav Chandrachud informed the bench that the board’s chairman has referred the movie to the revising committee for final decision. He added that there was an element of apprehension of public disorder.

However, Zee’s counsel, Venkatesh Dhond contended that this was done to ensure that the movie is not released before October, when the elections are to be held in Haryana.

Irked by the fact that the CBFC had failed to comply with its earlier order and simply passed the buck from one department to another, the HC said that the censor board cannot conclude that there would be a law and order problem and hence refuse to certify the movie. “This has to stop. Otherwise we are completely curtailing creative freedom and freedom of expression by doing all this… Does the CBFC think the public in this country are so naïve and stupid to believe everything they see in films? What about creative freedom?” the bench asked.

The judges wondered why people had become sensitive to what was being shown in movies. “We don’t see why people are so sensitive. My community is made fun of all the time in movies. We don’t say anything. We just laugh and move on,” Justice Colabawalla said on a lighter note.

Dhond submitted that the movie’s release was being delayed due to political reasons. Questioning the political angle, the bench asked if the petitioner claimed that the ruling party was against Ranaut, who is not just the co-producer of the movie but also a sitting BJP Member of Parliament.

However, Dhond said that the ruling party was willing to displease a sitting parliamentarian just to appease a particular section of society.

The HC has asked the CBFC to take a decision by September 25 and communicate the same to the filmmakers.

Actor Sohum Shah on Saturday announced a sequel to his 2018 critically acclaimed film, “Tumbbad”, a day after the movie was re-released in theatres. Directed by Rahi Anil Barve, the atmospheric horror drama received critical acclaim upon its release six years ago. It was produced by the actor under his banner Sohum Shah Films.

Shah assured fans that the sequel of “Tumbbad” will dig deeper into the theme of greed. “‘Tumbbad’ has been a special journey and a labour of love for us, and to see the love it continues to receive is overwhelming and only ratifies our belief and ethos of Sohum Shah Films, that content is king.

“With ‘Tumbbad 2’, we want to push the cinematic experience and boundaries even further. ‘Tumbbad 2’ will take audiences deeper into the world we’ve created, with bigger twists and a more intense exploration of what happens when greed knows no limits,” the actor-producer said in a statement.

Set in a Maharashtra village, “Tumbbad” explores Vinayak Rao’s (Shah) descent into greed and obsession as he seeks out a mythical treasure guarded by the malevolent entity Hastar. With the sequel, the makers promise an even more gripping narrative that builds on the dark, mythical universe of “Tumbbad”, the press release said.

“Tumbbad”, which was re-released in theatres on Friday, received a positive response from the audience.

Haranyavi singer Sapna Choudhary, who shot to popularity after she participated in the reality show Bigg Boss 11. She is now hitting the headlines after she announced her biopic titled ‘Madam Sapna,’ which will be directed by Mahesh Bhatt in collaboration with Vinay Bhardwaj.

The film will depict her journey from being an orchestra dancer who overcame the harsh and challenging conditions of Haryana to gracing the glamorous red carpet at Cannes. Sharing the teaser, Sapna wrote, “Who am I? Where did I start, and where am I headed? This biopic is more than just a film—it’s a piece of my heart , my struggles, dreams, and the path I’ve walked. Your support has been my strength through every challenge. As my story comes to life, I deeply appreciate your continued love and encouragement.”

“Thank you for being a part of this journey. Stay with me as we turn this chapter together,” she added.

Check out the teaser:

Talking about Madam Sapna, Mahesh Bhatt said, “Sapna’s story is not just a tale of personal triumph but also a reflection of the changing dynamics of our society. It’s a tribute to the strength and resilience of every woman who dares to dream.”

Vinay Bhardwaj added, “We are honored to bring Sapna’s story to the big screen. Her journey from being an orchestra dancer in Haryana to becoming a national icon is nothing short of extraordinary. This film will be a celebration of Haryanvi culture, music, and the incredible spirit of its people.”

Madam Sapna is set to be an ode to Haryana and its rich cultural heritage. The release date is yet to be announced.