Muting 'lesbian' in 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha' is shameful: Ashoke Pandit

Mumbai: The newly-appointed panel on the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) created a stir on the internet a couple of weeks ago, after a list of ‘banned swear words’ made its way on the internet.

Now, according to a post on a popular blog, the Censor Board made a decision to mute the word ‘lesbian’ from a scene in the recently-released film ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’. The post also featured a picture that had a list titled ‘Cuts recommended by CBFC,’ which consisted of all the alterations and cuts made in the film.

Apart from muting the word ‘lesbian’ the Board also recommended deleting and replacing words like ‘Ghanta’, ‘Haramkhor’, ‘Haramipana’ and ‘Haram ke pille’.

A lot of social media-users feel muting the word ‘lesbian’ is homophobic. Even board member Ashoke Pandit, who previously made homophobic remarks on the controversial AIB Roast, reacted to the post on Twitter.

He posted, “Came to know through news papers & If it's true then muting"Lesbian"in a film is shameful.I condemn it.#freedomofexpression” (sic)