Ram Gopal Varma said the censor board has become obsolete in the digital era.
The filmmaker urged the industry to legally challenge the CBFC's current role collectively.
Obsession was released after 38 seconds of footage were removed by the CBFC.
Ram Gopal Varma has strongly criticised film censorship in India, arguing that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has outlived its purpose in the digital era. In a lengthy social media post, the filmmaker questioned why adults who are trusted to make important decisions in everyday life should not be trusted to decide which films they wish to watch.
Ram Gopal Varma questions the need for film censorship
Beginning his post with the declaration that "CENSOR should be BANNED," Ram Gopal Varma argued that censorship had become outdated in a world shaped by smartphones, streaming platforms and unrestricted access to information. It was further stated by the filmmaker that "to pretend that a government-appointed committee can shield adults from a filmmaker's perspective of any truth is not only outdated, but it's also idiotic."
Varma also questioned the logic behind allowing 18-year-olds to vote while denying them the freedom to choose the films they watch. According to the director, "An 18-year-old can choose the leader of the country, but needs some random committee member to decide if hearing a cuss word or watching a shot is corruptive. That's not safeguarding society but infantilising it."
Filmmaker urges industry to challenge CBFC
Varma maintained that censorship has become ineffective because uncut versions of films are often available online within hours of release. He argued that "censorship doesn't hide content; it actually creates more demand," adding that content advisories would be more useful than mandatory cuts.
Calling on filmmakers and producers to unite, Varma said the industry should legally and publicly challenge the censor board's role. It was concluded by the director that "Democracy demands free expression, and in a connected world, isolating and mutilating cinema is not just being blind and deaf, it is actually suicidal for our growth."
His remarks come amid renewed conversations around film censorship following the theatrical release of Obsession, which received an 'A' certificate after the CBFC ordered the removal of 38 seconds of footage, including scenes depicting extreme violence, graphic sexual activity and nudity.
