Madras High Court Judge to Review ‘Manushi’ Amid CBFC’s 37 Cuts Proposal

Speedy Summary

• Madras High Court’s Justice N. Anand Venkatesh has decided to watch the Tamil film Manushi during a private screening on August 24, 2025, in Chennai.
• The decision comes after filmmaker Vetri Maaran filed a writ petition challenging the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)’s insistence on 37 cuts before certifying the movie for public viewing.
• Produced under Grassroot Film Company and directed by Gopi Nainar of Aramm fame, manushi focuses on custodial torture involving a woman suspected of terrorism.
• CBFC refused certification in September 2024, citing concerns that the film portrayed the State negatively and blurred lines between “leftist communism” and “mainstream communism.”
• Vetri Maaran previously challenged CBFC’s blanket rejection but agreed to edit objectionable content listed by them following court orders.A second petition has now been filed against extensive edits demanded by CBFC despite previous compliance.
• Justice Venkatesh will personally review the movie alongside CBFC members at Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Salai Chennai venue.

Indian Opinion analysis

The ongoing legal conflict over Manushi highlights critical challenges in India’s censorship framework concerning artistic freedom versus societal sensitivities. While CBFC’s role involves ensuring adherence to guidelines safeguarding public sentiment, blanket rejections or excessive cuts often raise questions about transparency and individual creative rights.

Justice Venkatesh’s decision signals judiciary interest in balancing these competing interests firsthand-a significant move given that courts rarely opt for direct involvement like screenings of disputed works.This could set an important precedent for future cases dealing with cultural expression versus regulatory constraints.

For filmmakers like Vetri Maaran, continual litigation may underscore frustrations regarding perceived rigidity from regulatory bodies toward works addressing complex socio-political themes. However, this engagement also reflects democratic mechanisms where contested viewpoints can be scrutinized objectively within judicial frameworks-a testament to institutional checks ensuring fairness.

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