Saif Ali Khan: Better To Make Baahubali Than Mahabharat

Close On The Heels Of The Passing Of Kaalakaandi After A Tryst With The Censor Board, Saif Reflects On Creative Freedom In Bollywood

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Parallels were drawn to Delhi Belly, specifically its excessive use of verbal profanity when Saif Ali Khan’s Kaalakaandi arrived at the Censor Board for certification. With the makers refusing to oblige to an alleged request of 72 cuts, fearing it may deplete the quality of the film, the team eventually tapped on the doors of the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT). In an interview to mid-day, Khan talks about the passing of his film after it arrived at the FCAT, and reflects on his life after being in the industry for almost three decades.”

After facing issues with the Censor Board, Kaalakaandi is finally up for release.

Yes, I think going to the Film Certification. Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) was great. They passed The movie with one cut. See, not all bad words are offensive. When you show two mafia members, you have to show them as they are. They’re crude. And that’s how they talk. You can give the film an A certificate if you don’t like the language. That will restrict the audience. But, it would be terrible to have candy floss movies where everyone speaks in the same way. The film has gone through a bit of red tape, but it’s worked out well. I don’t feel like a victim of censorship.

Do you think that the Censor Board is curbing creativity?

I don’t know, but things are taking a political undertone. It’s definitely better to make a Baahubali than a Mahabharat. People have become sensitive, and have started blurring the lines between religion, mythology, fact and fiction.

You will complete 25 years in the industry next year. Are you satisfied with the way things have shaped up?