Madras High Court Directs Censor Clearance for Vetrimaaran’s ‘Manushi’ After Edits

Quick Summary

• Madras High Court directed the CBFC to grant a censor certificate to Tamil film Manushi after necessary modifications/incisions are made.
• Justice N. Anand Venkatesh watched the movie with filmmakers and CBFC officials on August 24, 2025, and listed required edits.
• The film faced controversy as CBFC initially refused certification, citing it portrayed the State poorly and confused “leftist communism” with “mainstream communism.”
• Filmmaker C. Vetri Maaran challenged this decision in court, filing two writ petitions; one led CBFC to specify objectionable content, while the second contested its insistence on 37 cuts.
• Highlights of disagreement include cutting simple dialogues like ‘saniyan’ for public screening eligibility.
• Directed by Gopi Nainar and starring Andrea Jeremiah, Manushi focuses on custodial torture of a woman suspected of terrorism.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The Madras High Court’s intervention underscores its proactive role in balancing creative freedom with regulatory compliance. By directly viewing the film-a rare judicial approach-it ensured transparency in evaluating controversial claims against Manushi. The judgment aligns with India’s democratic ethos while urging adherence to established certification guidelines.

This case raises broader implications for artistic expression versus state censorship. while regulatory oversight is vital for societal sensitivity, arbitrary refusals or extensive demands without justification risk suppressing creativity unnecessarily. On a practical level, filmmakers may benefit from clearer communication channels between creators and certification bodies for smoother resolutions going forward.

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