Vani Tripathi Tikoo on Vishal Bhardwaj's comments on CBFC: It's very disappointing that he's saying this

Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj me some bold comments on  Censor board recently on curbing freedom of filmmakers. However, his statements have t gone well with some members of CBFC. We exclusively got in touch with Vani Tripathi Tikoo, who was former spokesperson for Bhartiya Janta Party and an actress and she h a lot to say on filmmaker's statements. 

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Speaking about same, she said "It's very disappointing, I have great respect for Vishal Ji, he's also somebody I kw very well. It's very disappointing that at this point of time he's saying this. I kw that CBFC has been in controversy and dark s as far as creative freedom is concerned. But I think present board under Prasoon Joshi, of which I'm also a part, of which Vidya Balan and Gautami are a part, it's very disappointing that unnecessarily he should be saying this right w and I'm saying this with great responsibility." 

Vani also explained that how current CBFC has been most progressive one in a while as she said, "This is first time in past one year, board is oversensitive to filmmakers. In fact, we get brickbatted all time that you're allowing all kind of content to go out. So I mean we always say that who are we to allow or t allow anybody, it is filmmaker's prerogative to what film a person wants to make."

Talking about digital platform, she ded that it was t lookout of censor board, "re is regulation on digital content as yet in India and CBFC has thing to do with what content is playing out in digital format. Because we only look at certification content for atrical releases. So it's very disappointing on one hand board is mending its bridges with film industry."

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n she got to issue where Mr. Bhardwaj raised concerns over animal welfare boards and smoking disclaimers. Speaking about that issue, she clarified, "A large board meeting happened two months ago in 25 years for first time in which whole board met. Film bodies from across nation, more than 10 film bodies h come. And yes y h a lot of reservation about animal welfare board which Vishal is also talking about. But again animal welfare board is under ar ministry, ministry of environment. Similarly, y h a lot of concerns about smoking disclaimers, again that is something which is under ambit of ministry of health. So as far as CBFC is concerned, I think we're taking a huge leap forward to open conversations with filmmakers."

Finally concluding her take on Mr. Bhardwaj's comments she said, "This is first time re is a very sensitive board sitting which actually wants to create a healthy and constructive atmosphere. And I think people should contribute to discourse inste of unfounded remarks. I fail to understand why Mr. Bhardwaj would have said something like this."

Coming to Abhishek Chaubey, maker of 'Udta Punjab' who also used strong words against CBFC, she said, "But he went to court and his controversy happened in last dispensation. What problem does Mr. Chaubey have with present board I fail to understand? I was also part of last board, so I kw, I understand troubles which were occurring. Mr. Nihalani himself has locked horns with board I don't kw for what reason."

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Asked if re is a solution for this constant war of words, Vani offered, " y should sit across and speak with us about issues and t talk on forums in festivals. At end of day, industry is one, it's like a camarerie, we all belong to same industry. We should be talking to each or and t talking at each or by making remarks like this."