In yet another attempt at preserving the people’s morals, CBFC has ordered that scenes showing nudity, even if generated through computer graphics, be cut from Blade Runner 2049, a highly-awaited, upcoming sci-fi film. The nude characters are supposed to be artificially intelligent machines.
“Blade Runner 2049 is a futuristic saga where women are shown to be created through artificial intelligence. They can’t be shown with clothes on,” a source told DNA. The argument fell flat at CBFC’s door which insists that nudity is not allowed in any form, even if generated through computers and doesn’t involve a real human actor.
Which is again pretty weird because the board has allowed nude statues of women to be shown in the film. Both are artworks imitating the human form. Why is one permissible and the other not?
A scene from Blade Runner 2049.
CBFC, however, did allow mentions of ‘‘f*ck’ and ‘f*cker’, a rarity in Indian theatres. But taking yet another turn on this roller-coaster ride of not trusting viewers’ maturity, bottles of liquor have been blurred out.
While people may have expected a new, more tolerant board under the leadership of lyricist Prasoon Joshi, the latest diktats suggest otherwise. For Judwaa 2, the filmmakers were asked to get NoCs from all persons mentioned in the film, like Alia Bhatt, to ensure they have no objection. For recently released horror film It, the board initially ordered 12 cuts, then restored all of them, then asked for three cuts again, and finally settled for just one cut.
Kangana Ranaut’s loud moans during sex were cut from Simran, as was the word ‘b*tch’ and 10 other cuts. “Derogating women by gesture or language will never be permissible under any guideline, be it Pahlaj or Prasoon ... The sound effect made the sex scene look far more provocative than it actually was so it was asked to be toned down,” a source had said.