Farhan Akhtar lashes out at CBFC for denying release to ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’

National Award-winning filmmaker Prakash Jha has found himself gearing up for yet another battle with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) after the committee refused to certify his upcoming film, ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’. The film directed by Alankrita Shrivastava, starring Konkona Sen Sharma, Ratna Pathak Shah, Aahana Kumra and Plabita Borthakur was screened for the Censor Board’s Examining Committee in January. Jha, who is producing the film, was later informed that the film cannot be certified as it is “lady-oriented, their fantasy above life” and contained “contentious sexual scenes, abusive words, audio pornography and a bit sensitive touch about one particular section of society.” This move caught the attention of actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhar, who took to his social networking handle to post a picture of the letter and lash out at the board for their actions. He shared the picture saying, “Below is the reason CBFC listed for denying #LipstickUnderMyBurkha a release. Keep your barf bag ready…” Jha, who is presently in London, is understandably enraged by the latest move of CBFC. The filmmaker told Mumbai Mirror, “As a country, we must encourage freedom of expression but the CBFC refusing to certify films that tell uncomfortable stories discourages filmmakers from pushing the envelope. Films should challenge the status quo which is what ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’ perhaps does and I believe our audience deserve to watch it.” Set in small town India, ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’ chronicles the secret lives of four women in search of a little freedom.