Mumbai, The Bombay High Court on Monday gave the green light for the release of the film Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi, setting aside objections raised by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The court directed that the film, produced by Samrat Cinematics, can be released without any cuts or modifications.
The ruling came in response to a petition filed by the filmmakers, Samrat Cinematics v CBFC, challenging the censor board’s demand for edits. The producers argued that the suggested cuts infringed upon their creative freedom and were arbitrary in nature.
Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Neela Gokhale, presiding over the matter, observed that the CBFC’s intervention was “unwarranted” and emphasized that filmmakers cannot be compelled to alter content unless it clearly violates legal or constitutional provisions. The bench noted that artistic expression enjoys protection under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, subject only to reasonable restrictions.
Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi is said to be a biographical drama that traces the journey of a spiritual leader, focusing on his personal struggles, philosophical pursuits, and the impact of his teachings. The CBFC had reportedly flagged certain sequences for potential controversy, but the High Court disagreed with its reasoning.
With the verdict, the film is now free to hit theatres in its original form. Industry insiders see this as a significant reaffirmation of the judiciary’s support for creative freedom in Indian cinema.
The producers of Ajey welcomed the decision, calling it a “victory for artistic liberty” and expressing gratitude to the court for upholding their vision. The CBFC has not yet commented on whether it will appeal the ruling.
By – Juhi