Noor on CBFC scanner: Makers asked to beep references to Barkha Dutt, who calls it 'bizzare'

A day after it refused to clear Ashtar Syed's revenge drama Maatr for release, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is in the news yet again.It has asked the makers of Sunil Sippy's slice of life drama Noor to make several audio cuts.[caption id="attachment_3319856" align="alignleft" width="380"] Sonakshi Sinha in a still from Noor. YouTube[/caption]The Quint reports that the CBFC asked the makers to omit a reference to journalist Barkha Dutt or beep out her last name in the film. Their argument for the same was that referring to real-life characters without their consent is not permissible.They added that they gave the makers the option of either obtaining permission from Dutt or beeping out the reference.The same report states that Sippy has agreed to beep out the reference though it is in the context of the protagonist, who is a journalist, referring to Dutt as her idol.However, Dutta found the CBFC's demand bizarre.It quotes her as saying, "I haven’t seen the film but from what I understand the two references to me are very complimentary and in the context of a young woman who aspires to be a journalist. So really, I am unable to understand what part of this lends itself to censorship. Seems rather bizarre for the censor board to decide for the filmmakers or for me since I am a public person after all, and this reference hardly seems anything the censor board should have a view on. Rather whimsical I think to now make my name a subject of censorship!"DNA reports that the CBFC also instructed the makers to beep out the word 'dalit', arguing that the usage of the word is not permissible on celluloid since it invokes a reference to the caste system. Also, a reference to a 'sex toy' has been asked to be replaced by 'adult site'. Lastly, references to a liquour brand have also been beeped out.Noor stars Sonakshi Sinha, Karan Gill, Purab Kohli and Shibani Dandekar. It is produced by Bhushan and Krishan Kumar's T-Series Films. It is slated to release on 21 April.