Actor Ishaan Khatter has opened up about India’s censorship process, pointing out inconsistencies in how films are evaluated by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). His comments come after his latest film Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, was subjected to 11 cuts before its theatrical release in India. The edited version is reportedly 77 seconds shorter than the one showcased at international film festivals, where it received critical acclaim.
Ishaan Khatter on censorship in India
In a recent interview with Zoom, Ishaan shared his thoughts on the censorship process. “I wasn’t directly involved in the process, so I don’t want to give a misinformed view. But as an artist, it’s difficult when alterations are made. You feel that the vision of your film can sometimes stray or get altered. Of course, the board has its own barometer, and certification is important — but the question is, what are the standards and barometers?” he said.
The actor further highlighted the uneven treatment of films, saying, “Different films are often looked at with different standards. Some get leniencies despite questionable content, while others, especially social films offering a particular perspective, are scrutinised more. As artists and as audiences, we’d appreciate an agnostic approach, where different opinions are treated equally.” Ishaan added that empathy and open-mindedness are needed from both sides — the creators and the certifying body.
About Homebound’s Oscar selection
Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound, co-starring Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, has been selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars. The film explores a moving friendship between two men from marginalised communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film is based on a true story of two friends who attempt to travel 1500 km amid the COVID lockdown in 2020.
While its selection sparked debate among cinephiles, Ishaan stands by the film’s message. “The film talks about unity, empathy, compassion, and that message coming from India is beautiful because we find unity in diversity. That is the idea of India I subscribe to,” he said. “We wanted to humanise people we often see as statistics or overlook. The response at Cannes and TIFF proved its universal appeal.”
