Contrary to popular belief, it’s not entirely correct that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) granted clearance to the film “Vedaa” without any cuts. Recent revelations indicate that approximately 10 minutes of the film have been trimmed, including scenes that involve caste references and Sanskrit shlokas. However, Monisha Advani, one of the producers, emphasizes that the CBFC respected the movie’s original intent despite the snips made.
The film “Vedaa,” featuring Sharvari and John Abraham, depicts a compelling narrative on caste oppression. It hasn’t had an easy journey to the big screens. After being submitted for review to the CBFC on June 25, the film found itself in the Revising Committee’s hands for over a month, finally receiving approval on July 29. Initially, director Nikkhil Advani announced that the CBFC granted a ‘U/A’ certificate without any cuts, but it has since come to light that this was not accurate. To achieve the certification, 10 minutes of content had to be removed from the film.
First off, the CBFC required the filmmakers to modify the disclaimer and add a voiceover specifying that the movie is a fictional work inspired by true events. This addition takes up 1 minute and 16 seconds of screentime. “Some cuts were proactively suggested by Nikkhil Advani himself,” reveals a source, referring particularly to the reduction of violence in a courtroom scene, which significantly contributed to the loss of over six minutes from the film. Also, a two-minute-long hanging scene was taken out entirely. Among other changes, a dialogue that included derogatory language towards women had to be altered and a scene featuring a character listening to a Sanskrit shloka was removed. Furthermore, text reading ‘Brahmin’s son…Shudra’s son’ and the abusive term ‘behenkhor’ were ordered to be excised.
Despite these modifications, Monisha Advani views the process positively: “Experts assessed the film meticulously, weighing its thematic material carefully.
. The cuts deemed necessary by the board do not seem unreasonable. It was reassuring to note that their approach was to honor the narrative’s core intent. They conveyed that they did not want to disrupt the storyline in any manner and acknowledged that it is an important narrative that warrants a wide audience.”
In early July, director Nikkhil Advani expressed frustration when the CBFC delayed certification for nearly a month. However, following the approval, both Advani and the rest of the production team appear content with the board’s decisions. The primary goal now seems to be achieving a wider audience reach. “They were accommodating by awarding a ‘U/A’ certification, facilitating a broader viewership. We have no objections to the action sequences being trimmed slightly. We also had a four-minute disclaimer in our previous film Batla House [2019],” remarks Monisha.
The month-long delay, however, was a challenging period for the team. Monisha asserts that the CBFC should be empowered with increased manpower to prevent such timeline issues in the future. “Films could be processed more swiftly, reducing the excruciating wait times for filmmakers,” she adds.
Navigating its way through these challenges, “Vedaa” seeks to address social issues surrounding caste oppression, featuring resilient characters played by Sharvari and John Abraham. The film’s journey reflects a nuanced dialog between artistic expression and regulatory oversight, embodying both the challenges and triumphs faced by filmmakers in bringing socially relevant stories to the public eye.
In summary, while “Vedaa” had to undergo significant cuts to achieve its desired certification, the filmmakers are optimistic. They appreciate that the CBFC’s approach was considerate of the film’s fundamental message. Both Monisha Advani and the team hope that this collaboration will pave the way for smoother and faster processing of films in the future, ultimately benefiting both creators and audiences.
