‘OMG 2’ Director Amit Rai Blames CBFC For Its Average Business: Would Have Been Neck And Neck With ‘Gadar 2’

Sunny Deol’s ‘Gadar 2’ and Pankaj Tripathi’s ‘OMG 2’ released on the same day, and before they hit the silver screens, their releases were seen as one of the biggest box-office clashes of last year. However, post the release, ‘Gadar 2’ became a massive sensation, while ‘OMG 2’ could not match up to its numbers at the ticket counters despite getting critical acclaim. 

Now Amit Rai, who directed ‘OMG 2’, has mentioned how the film could not grow financially because of the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC). He said so because ‘OMG 2’, also starring Akshay Kumar, received an ‘A’ rating from CBFC, which led to the film’s less-than-expected performance at the box office. 

He told DNA, “If it wasn’t an A-certificate film, then maybe it would have been neck and neck with Gadar 2, minting money at the box office because families would have come for it.” While Gadar 2 raked in around Rs 686 crore worldwide, ‘OMG 2’ managed to earn around Rs 221.75 crore.

While he wants the ‘bygones be bygones’, he mentioned that the censor board “killed” half of his family audience due to an A-rating. He added, “The censor board hurt me financially too and in terms of content as well.” CBFC reportedly even asked makers for 27 changes in the film due to the subject of sex education, among other issues.

Earlier, Rai had shared that he sent several messages to CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi asking for a U/A certificate. “I remember clearly that I folded my hands. I told them that you are doing the wrong thing because if this film goes on OTT…” he told Bollywood Hungama. Albeit, Joshi “never responded” to his messages.

As for ‘OMG 2’, the film is about the journey of a father and son, and how the former wants teenagers to learn about sex education. Akshay plays the ‘messenger of god’ while Yami Gautam portrays the role of a lawyer.