Gay Reference In Beauty & The Beast Banned In several Countries, Stays in India, Pahlaj Nihalani Tells Us Why

A gay reference in the new big-screen Walt Disney version of theBeauty & The Beast fable which has stunned many nations , has surprisingly been allowed to remain untouched in India.

The sudden appearance of a gay character in a beloved children’s fable has evoked widespread protests in many parts of the world. When the  Malaysian censorboard asked for the gay reference to be removed Disney decided to remove the film from Malaysian theatres.

In Russia the film has been passed for adult viewing.

Related Post

“In that case,we’re more liberal than the Russians, ” quips censor chief Pahlaj Nihalani, who has for long been called homophobic. ‘We’ve never been against homosexuality.Why should we be judgmental about sexual preferences? We’ve viewed passed many sensitive films on homosexuality like Hansal Mehta’s Aligarh and the recent Oscar winner Moonlight.It’s another matter that the Aligarhdirector chose to denigrate the censor board after praising us for being fair to Aligarh in our face. We understand it’s fashionable to pull down the CBFC.”

Elaborating further on the subject Nihalani says, “We had no problem with the homosexual reference in The Beauty & The Beast.We certified the film with a ‘UA’ and no cuts. Now if the gay character (LeFou) was to suddenly grab another character and start making love, we may have to ask him to restrain himself. We at the CBFCbelieve there is more dignity in the implied than the applied.”

 

Vaibhav Choudhary

Leave a Comment
Leave a Comment
Published by
Vaibhav Choudhary

Recent Posts

“It’s  A  Different Kashmir Now,” Vedang Raina On His Recent Visit To The Valley

Have you  been mobbed after Jigra release? I haven’t really stepped out yet, so no… Read More

24th November 2024

All We Imagine As Light,  Magical Merger  Of  Workaday Reality & Surrealism

If you can get  across one major challenge  in the plot towards  the  end  of… Read More

24th November 2024

30 Years  Of Karan Arjun, Raakhee  Gulzar Reminisces

Rakesh Roshan’s  1994  blockbuster Karan  Johar has  re-opened in  movie theatres this week. Although the… Read More

24th November 2024

“Nowadays  I’m Living Out Of Suitcases,”  Shabana Azmi Sighs  Before Taking Off To Be Honoured At The Nantes Film Festival

Shabana  Azmi is  in and out of cities  these days .Shabana Azmi’s  50 year journey… Read More

17th November 2024

Mithya The Darker Chapter  Gives A Good Name To  Sequels

Mithya The Darker Chapter  Gives A Good Name To  Sequels Rating: *** ½ Applause Entertainment’s  Mithya:… Read More

8th November 2024

Citadel: Honey Bunny, & A Run For Their  Money

Citadel: Honey Bunny, & A  Run For Their  Money Rating: ****  To set  the record straight,  Raj-DK’s  Indian avatar … Read More

8th November 2024