Charak vs Censor: Producer Sudipto Sen says art should not be banned
Filmmaker Sudipto Sen’s upcoming film Charak is facing censorship challenges, but he firmly believes that art should not be banned. He has confidence in the maturity of the Indian audience.
Filmmaker Sudipto Sen is preparing for the release of his next film. CharakOn 6 March. Speaking exclusively to India Today, Sen said that the film is based on real events. He also talked about the controversy surrounding CharakAnd his views on censorship.
rooted in reality
Charak It is derived from the ancient Charaka Utsav, which dates back to the time of Lord Buddha. Originally celebrated as a Buddhist festival, it later got associated with Hindu traditions and is celebrated in eastern India – Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha and Jharkhand – during the month of Chaitra, the senator shared.
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Addressing whether the film is fictional or based on real events, Sen was candid.
He said, “It is based on real events. Its inspiration came from a short story written by Sanjay Haldar, which was based on a true incident. After reading it, I felt compelled to make a film on it.”
The filmmaker emphasized the depth of preparation behind the project. “We conducted extensive research and collected historical material to ensure authenticity. Some people may find it difficult to believe that such incidents can still happen today, especially in cities like Mumbai. But our research completely supports the story.”
CBFC on controversy and controversy
Even before its release, Charak The story has run into controversy with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) over alleged themes suggesting human sacrifice. However, Sen believes that reaction is wrong.
He said, “I believe the controversy is unnecessary. We have clearly stated through the disclaimer that superstition has nothing to do with religion. Faith is personal; no religion calls for child sacrifice.”
Without directly attacking the board, Sen, who has produced the film, hinted at a larger climate of fear. “If you move even a little beyond the comfort zone, you are scrutinized. I don’t want to talk negatively about anyone, but I feel there is a lack of sensitivity in how such matters are handled.”
‘I trust the audience’
When asked if the Indian audience was ready for the scenes objected to by the censor board, Sen expressed full confidence in the audience.
“Absolutely. Today, audiences are faced with intense and disturbing content on OTT platforms. I recently watched a Netflix series that was emotionally overwhelming, far more painful than anything in my film,” he said, referring to the film’s release. Jeffrey Epstein: filthy rich.
He said, “If the audience can handle such content, then how can we question the maturity of some of the scenes in my film? I trust the audience.”
On censorship and creative freedom
Sen questioned the relevance of censorship in the digital age.
He said, “I believe that today censorship has largely become a formality. With access to the Internet and mobile devices, people, including children, are exposed to everything.”
Self-regulation is important for a filmmaker. “Self-censorship is the best censorship. An artist’s conscience and responsibility should guide what should be shown. At most, a board can classify films based on age. But it is not right to prevent an artist from telling a story. If someone does not like a film, they can choose not to see it – but banning or restricting art is problematic.”
Watch the trailer of Charak here:
Decision taken before viewing?
The director also reflected on the growing trend of judging films based on perceived intent rather than actual content.
He said, “Yes, often films are judged even before watching. It is understandable if common people react emotionally, but when political leaders demand a ban without watching the film, it becomes dangerous for the society.”
He said, “Intolerance from any political side is unhealthy for a modern democracy.”
After Kerala Story
After the protests regarding his previous film, story of keralaSen said that his approach towards storytelling remains unchanged.
“even before story of kerala After the release, I started working on other projects, which faced opposition. I believe in telling true stories and uncomfortable truths. Our society needs such cinema. The love and support we get from the audience is genuine. If the films were mere propaganda, they would not have resonated the way they do,” he explained.
On the film’s development timeline, Sen reveals Charak There was no haste. “we worked Charak For about two to three years. The original author had been doing research for an even longer time. After two years of preparation, we made the film last year,” he said.
Since the controversy is already going around, Charak Scheduled to release on March 6. However, it remains to be seen whether the censor board will give the certificate by then or not.
