Kathmandu, November 5
The film ‘Panch Pandav’, on the eve of its release, received a major jolt on Wednesday evening. Bookings had already opened. Everything was set for a grand release on Friday, and all preparations, from promotion onwards, were complete.
In the evening, the film’s production team suddenly received a call from the Ministry of Communication, where they were asked to stop the booking for the film for now. They were summoned to the ministry to collect the letter on the halt to the film’s screening.
The notice came with the claim that it was a “direct order” from the Home Ministry. It threw the production team into turmoil. The Central Film Examination Committee had given the film a Universal certificate only that afternoon, saying permission had been granted for screening.
News spread everywhere that Friday’s bookings would have to be cancelled after sudden government interference in a film already cleared by the Censor Board. Filmmakers began asking why the screening had to be stopped by overturning the Censor Board’s decision.
The matter quietened somewhat when an employee of the Film Development Board said the problem was limited to Nepalgunj and that a discussion would be held the next day to resolve it.
Even so, various reports about the film kept coming on Thursday morning. Some said there was no obstruction to the screening, while others claimed the home minister had directly ordered it stopped. Amid this confusion, the production team and Censor Board officials sat down for talks in the morning. The talks concluded, and it was stated clearly: “The film will run in full swing from Friday. No one will create any obstruction.”
Right after the talks, Onlinekhabar asked Manoj Pandit, an expert member of the Central Film Examination Committee, what had really happened.
He hinted that one group was unhappy with the film’s content and that some trouble had arisen because of them.
“There is no barrier now for the film to run,” he said.
Pandit said the ‘Panch Pandav’ episode had also exposed three important things. “There is no problem now for the film to be released. But it has brought three things to light,” he said.
First, any decision of the Central Film Examination Committee is official and final. This episode has reinforced that point.
Second, the government does not stop or obstruct the screening of any film. Instead, it will help create the environment needed for screening. This commitment from Communication Minister Bikram Timilsina will also set a precedent. From now on, the government will play a supporting role, not an obstructing one, in the screening of any film. It will respect the Censor Board’s decision and arrange a favourable environment for the screening.
Third, once filmmakers include sensitive content in their films, they must take special care with promotional material. If communal, religious or other sensitive topics are raised, the promotion should be restrained, not flashy.
“This is also a lesson for all of us,” Pandit said.
Meanwhile, according to the film’s writer, Sushil Paudel, the film does not harm or disrespect any religion or community, nor does it distort the truth. The characters of the Mahabharata have been used there as symbols. He said this practice has been followed in every creative field for ages.
“Please watch the film before opposing it. If you are still not satisfied after watching it, you can raise questions. Please do not oppose it blindly without seeing what is in the film,” he said.
