As Vijay’ politically charged film Jana Nayagan remains stuck in censor-related limbo, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has weighed in with a scathing critique of India’s censorship system. Known for his blunt takes and unapologetic opinions, Varma called the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) “outdated” and accused it of performing meaningless moral theatre in a digital-first world.
The comments come after Jana Nayagan—which was scheduled to release today—was postponed indefinitely following a Madras High Court order that put a temporary stay on its release until the next hearing on January 21.
‘This Is Not Just About Jana Nayagan’
Taking to X, Varma clarified that his remarks weren’t directed solely at Vijay’s delayed film. According to him, the controversy merely reopened a long-ignored debate.
He wrote that it is “truly foolish” to believe the censor board is still relevant today, adding that the institution has outlived its purpose but continues to exist simply because the industry avoids questioning it.
Varma went a step further, stating that the film industry itself is partly responsible for allowing the system to continue unchecked.
‘Cutting a Word or Blurring a Cigarette Won’t Save Society’
In one of his strongest arguments, Varma highlighted the sheer irony of censorship in the age of smartphones, OTT platforms, and social media.
He questioned how trimming shots, muting words, or blurring cigarettes in films could possibly “protect society” when people of all ages freely consume graphic violence, explicit imagery, and unfiltered content online every day.
According to him, the CBFC was created in an era where access to images was limited and the state controlled information—but that world no longer exists.
‘Censorship Insults Viewers’
Varma didn’t stop there. He argued that modern censorship doesn’t prevent exposure—it insults the intelligence of audiences.
In a sharply worded post, he questioned why citizens are trusted to choose governments but not trusted to decide what they want to watch or hear. To Varma, censorship today is no longer about protection—it’s about performing authority, where “scissors replace thinking” and moral posturing is disguised as responsibility.
He also called out what he described as societal hypocrisy, pointing out that the same people who scroll through brutal content on social media suddenly become “morally concerned” when similar themes appear in a film theatre.
Cinema Is Not a Classroom
Doubling down on his stance, Varma stressed that cinema is not meant to teach moral lessons.
He described films as mirrors, viewpoints, and expressions—not textbooks. The role of authorities, he argued, should be limited to classification and warnings, not cutting or editing creative expression. Trusting citizens to make their own choices, he said, is the foundation of freedom of speech guaranteed by the Constitution.
‘Age Ratings Make Sense. Censorship Doesn’t.’
Summing up his argument, Varma drew a striking analogy—saying that defending the relevance of the censor board today is like insisting on a watchman for a building whose walls have already collapsed.
He concluded by urging the film fraternity to collectively challenge censorship, instead of reacting only when individual films get stuck.
Not an Isolated Issue
Varma’s remarks come at a time when multiple films are facing intense CBFC scrutiny. Apart from Jana Nayagan, Parasakthi, starring Sivakarthikeyan and Sreeleela, reportedly had to undergo more than 20 cuts before receiving certification.
Final Words
Ram Gopal Varma’s comments may be provocative, but they echo a growing frustration within the industry. As cinema increasingly competes with unregulated digital content, the debate around censorship versus classification feels more urgent than ever.
Whether the system evolves or continues unchanged, one thing is clear—the conversation around creative freedom in Indian cinema is no longer staying quiet.
