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Censor Board Assures Objectionable Scenes Deleted from ’Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal’ (KDM)

Producers Agree to an Advisory Calling for Self Regulation & Restraint in the Industry

Catholic Groups Suspend Agitation Against Bollywood Films - To Allow KDM Release

Catholic Groups to Meet Stakeholders on 1st October to Ensure No Re-occurrence

Mumbai, September 27, 2012: After the protest and procession against the film, "Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal" from St. Peter’s Church in suburban Bandra, the Censor Board assured community groups - The Catholic Secular Forum (CSF), Association of Concerned Catholics (AOCC), Maharashtra Christian Youth Forum (MCYF), Catholic Residents Organization for Social Services (CROSS) & Catholics for Preservation of Faith (CPF) - that their concerns had been addressed and objectionable scene had been deleted from the film.  The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson, Ms. Leela Samson conveyed to the community groups that the film was shown to a Catholic review member and necessary action had been taken.

Today, a delegation met with representatives of apex film producers associations - Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA), Film Makers Combine (FMC) and Western India Film Producers Association (WIFPA), who in writing assured them that an advisory would be sent out to the film fraternity, cautioning the industry of stringent action, in case religious sentiments of any community was hurt. The producers associations also spoke to Percept Pictures, the producers of "Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal", who assured that corrective action would be taken and the hence, the producers associations requested that the movie release be uninterrupted.

We decided to temporarily suspend our agitation, until a joint meeting of all stakeholders on 1st October, 2012 and after watching the film and satisfying themselves. We have also called for an apology from the KDM movie producers and that the advisory from the producers associations, not to hurt religious sentiments, to be advertised prominently. Ms. Pankaja Thakur, the Censor Board CEO forwarded the report of the regional officer, who informed the necessary changes made and asked the groups to come back, in case they were dissatisfied after watching the movie. The groups warned that they would be compelled to file FIRs against all concerned for hurting their religious sentiments under section 295A in various police stations, if not satisfied.

We have written to the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister demanding the resignation of the chairperson and the transfer of the CEO for repeatedly allowing films that hurt the sentiments of various communities. The movie "Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal" came under community ire for portraying the Catholic clergy in bad light. They pointed out that allowing “Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal” without clearance by an authorized community representative, amounted to adding insult to injury, as the film mocks and ridicules the faith.

Pictures say it better than words – So here are some of the objectionable scenes: