MUMBAI: Disney’s children film “The Jungle Book” has been given ‘U/A’ certificate by the censor board, causing a furor in Bollywood and on social media.
“The Jungle Book”, based on Rudyard Kipling’s stories based in India, is an American fantasy adventure film directed by “Iron Man” helmer Jon Favreau, written by Justin Marks, and produced by Walt Disney Pictures.
But a ‘U/A’ certificate means parental guidance is needed to watch the film, which releases here tomorrow, a week before the US release.
The Central Board of Film Certification, which had caused a huge controversy by shortening the length of a kiss in James Bond movie “Spectre” last year, gave the movie a ‘U/A’ certificate, for being “too scary”.
The decision has not gone down well with people ridiculing the board for its callous approach in certifying films.
“That (‘The Jungle Book’ getting U/A certificate) shows how crazy this country has become. We have lost the marbles, sorry to say that. If ‘Jungle Book’ is getting U/A certificate, then the government should do some serious thinking about CBFC,” Mukesh Bhatt told reporters at Gima awards here last night.
“If you ask me CBFC should be put in garbage can, that is the right place for the CBFC,” he said.
When asked about CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani’s reasoning behind the U/A certification, Mukesh said, “I am not talking about Nihalani. He is just a stooge of the people who have put him there. There has to be some radical thinking. If a ‘Jungle Book’ can get a U/A, shame on India.”
Actor Ayushmann Khurrana too is surprised with “The Jungle Book” getting U/A certificate.
“It’s unbelievable. I don’t know what’s the criteria behind the certification. May be, it is because of the 3D images of Bhageera and Sherkhan bouncing-off the screen. These days kids are used to reading story books and watching Captain America, and after all these are animated films,” he said.
The singer-actor recollected that as a child he used to be excited while watching the “Jungle Book” series on the small screen.
The decision has amused many fans on social media with many poking fun at Nihalani.
“What happened to Pahlaj Nihalani? U/A certificate to Jungle Book! Thank God it’s not A. None of the chimps, monkeys, hyenas wearing clothes,” a user wrote.
“Pahlaj Nihalani never fails to amuse me, he is better than any stand up comedian across the globe. Now Jungle Book us U/A because it’s scary!,” wrote another user.
“Pahlaj Nihalani gives a UA to #TheJungleBook, the quintessential kids story, citing it’s too scary. When will he stop embarrassing himself?,” another tweet read.–PTI
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