Bombay HC seeks CBFC response over delay in certifying film on UP CM Yogi Adityanath

A bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Neela K Gokhale, while issuing notice to CBFC, orally remarked that the Board was required to issue certification within a time period laid down in law.

The plea claimed that the CBFC had indulged in “unreasonable, unexplained and arbitrary” delay in processing the application for the film and its teaser, trailer and promotional song. The movie, inspired by the book The Monk Who Became Chief Minister, authored by Shantanu Gupta, was scheduled to be released in theatres on August 1.

Senior advocate Ravi Kadam for the petitioners claimed that the CBFC has not yet scheduled a screening of the movie, teaser and the promotional song.

“The Petitioner is further aggrieved by the CBFC’s erroneous, extraneous and baseless demand for a NOC from the CMO of Uttar Pradesh, despite there being no such requirement existing under the statute i.e. Cinematograph Act or the Rules framed thereunder. It is pertinent to note that such an erroneous requirement/request is not only extremely prejudicial to the professional interests of the Petitioner but also detrimental to its financial interests,” the plea stated.

The petitioner claimed that the book that formed the inspiration for the movie has been officially endorsed by CMO, Uttar Pradesh. The plea said that “the purpose of the film is not only to depict the journey of a leader in public service but also to motivate and inspire the youth of the nation through a narrative grounded in fact and integrity”.

The court was told that the makers first applied for certification of the main film on June 5, 2025, and as per the Rules, the CBFC was required to examine their application within seven days and refer it for screening within 15 days. However, no action was taken for nearly a month.

The makers further said that they had again applied under the ‘priority scheme’ and a screening was scheduled on July 7, but the same was cancelled without any further correspondence, prompting them to approach the high court.

The bench will hear the plea next on July 19.