While Vishal Bhardwaj’s Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola received ‘U/A’ certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in India, the film has been classified with a ’12A’ by the British Board of Film Classification. Interestingly, almost all of his movies were given an ‘A’ certificate (except for his directorial debut Makdee, which was essentially a children’s film). In the UK, previously his film Kaminey starring Shahid Kapoor was given a ’15’ classification.
In India, the film had initially run into censor trouble with Pankaj Kapur’s character saying ‘Pancho’, which, the CBFC felt, sounded like a Hindi expletive. However, much to the director’s delight, the ‘U/A’ rating makes the movie fit for family audiences, including those under 18.
With this film, Bhardwaj is treading off the beaten path into a brighter and funnier zone by diverting from his usual serious cinema. Says the filmmaker, “I’ve always wanted my films to reach out to a wider audience. Finally with MKBKM, not restricted by the ‘A’ rating, I’ll be able to do so. I’d like to thank the CBFC for giving this rating as it’s a bright and happy film.
The film was passed without any cuts in the UK.
Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, presented by Fox Star Studios and produced by Vishal Bhardwaj, releases in UK cinemas on 11th January 2013.
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