Bombay HC To Watch Yogi Adityanath-Inspired Film Before Ruling On Makers' Plea

Last Updated:August 21, 2025, 22:00 IST

The petitioners have accused the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) of delaying and denying certification without valid reasons

The film is said to be based on the book 'The Monk Who Became Chief Minister' by Shantanu Gupta. (File photo)

The Bombay High Court on Thursday said it would watch the film ‘Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi,’ inspired by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, before passing an order on a plea by its makers.

The petitioners have accused the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) of delaying and denying certification without valid reasons.

The court directed the producers, Samrat Cinematics India Pvt Ltd, to submit a copy of the film with clear markings of the scenes objected to by the CBFC. The film is said to be based on the book ‘The Monk Who Became Chief Minister’ by Shantanu Gupta, which the filmmakers claim is officially endorsed by the UP Chief Minister’s Office, The Indian Express reported.

The makers alleged that although they applied for certification on June 5, the CBFC failed to act within the stipulated timeline. On August 6, the CBFC finally issued an order refusing certification, citing violations of film certification guidelines.

Following the High Court’s direction on August 1, the CBFC’s revising committee watched the film but maintained its refusal to grant certification in an order dated August 17.

The court had earlier questioned the CBFC’s approach, stating that its actions seemed “obstructive" and lacking transparency. “Why don’t you give them the grounds for rejection?" the bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Neela Gokhale had remarked.

The court had instructed the CBFC to share detailed objections by 11 August and gave the filmmakers until August 12 to respond with proposed changes. The CBFC raised 29 objections, eight of which were later dropped.

On Thursday, the CBFC’s counsel said the Board had followed due process and suggested the filmmakers could appeal under the Cinematograph Act.

The film stars Anant Joshi and was earlier scheduled to release on 1 August.

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August 21, 2025, 22:00 IST

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