Director Mohsin Khan’s film Mamta Child Factory has run into trouble with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The movie, which revolves around a doctor setting up a fertility clinic in a small town, has not yet been cleared by the CBFC, apparently owing to its subject of surrogacy. Khan reveals that the film was screened on July 29, following which Assistant Regional Officer Premraj Aachari informed the team that since surrogacy was “legally not permissible” in India, no decision about the certification could be given, and that a report would follow. In the two months since, the makers haven’t heard from the board.
Arguing that altruistic surrogacy is a strictly regulated but legally recognised practice in India, Khan is surprised that Mamta Child Factory’s certification is held up. “To suddenly be told that the subject is ‘not permissible’ is shocking because surrogacy is legally recognised, and films on this theme have already been released with certification,” he notes. The director points out another anomaly. “Our film is a replica of our Marathi movie Delivery Boy [2024], which even received ‘A’ category support under the Maharashtra State Marathi Film Subsidy programme. If Delivery Boy could be certified, why is the Hindi film being stonewalled?”
Mohsin Khan
Khan adds that the endless wait isn’t easy for indie filmmakers like him. “Time is not a luxury we have. Every delay bleeds our resources, pushes back our release, and makes investors nervous. We are only asking for transparency and timely decisions. This experience reflects how difficult it has become for independent voices to survive in the system.”
Recent Hindi films that explored surrogacy:
‘Badnaam Gali’ (2019)
‘Mimi’ (2021)
‘Dukaan’ (2024)
