Delay in release of Calendar Girls has nothing to do with Censor Board

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…Reacting strongly to reports in the press that the release of Madhur Bhandarkar's new film Calendar Girls is delayed from August to September, as the director is getting ready for a long battle with the Censor Board over its content, Censor Chief Pahlaj Nihalani says, "I've heard other reasons for why Madhur's film is being postponed. It's definitely not because of Censor problems. At least, there's no problem from our end."

Elaborating on the cuts ordered in Calendar Girls, Pahlajji says, "There were absolutely NO visual cuts. We cut some cusswords and words referring to women as 'bitches' etc. In no way do these cuts hamper the flow of the film. Rahi baat Adults certificate ki. Why should Madhur be bothered if we certified the film for an adult audience. Has he made Calendar Girls for children? Is this a Walt Disney entertainer? It's about girls in bikinis posing for calendar. Not what children should be exposed to. All of Madhur's films from Chandni Bar to Page 3 to Fashion to Heroine are for an adult viewership. Why would he suddenly be unhappy about an Adults certification?"

Pahlaj Nihalani suggests that filmmakers should stop trying to generate interest in their films by blaming the Censor Board for delays. "You cannot sell a film to the audience by creating unnecessary controversies. Many times in recent months, filmmakers have passed the buck for delay to the CBFC. We aren't going to take such accusations lying down."

When I questioned Madhur Bhandarkar about the reason for the delay in release he said. "We are in no rush. We've got a fabulous music score in Calendar girls. We want to give some time for the songs to grow on people's minds."

Article written by staff at Bollywood Hungama. Read more