Bombay HC Issues Notice to CBFC Over 'Ajey' Film Delay
Court seeks response from CBFC in two days over alleged inaction on film certification, putting August 1 release at risk
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) over an alleged delay in certifying the film Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi, following a writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution.
The petition, filed by the makers of the film, accuses the CBFC of “arbitrary, unreasonable and unexplained delay” in processing certification applications for the film, which is based on the book The Monk Who Became Chief Minister published in 2017.
According to the petitioner, applications for certifying the film, along with its trailer, teaser, and promotional song, were submitted in early June 2025. Despite full compliance with procedural requirements, the CBFC has allegedly failed to respond or act, placing the scheduled nationwide release of the film on August 1, 2025, in jeopardy.
The plea further invokes provisions of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, which mandate the Board to process certification requests within stipulated timelines. The CBFC’s inaction, the petition contends, violates these statutory obligations and amounts to indirect censorship.
Legal observers note that if the court finds substance in the claims, it may set a precedent reaffirming the limits of CBFC’s discretionary powers and bolster protections against administrative delays affecting creative expression.
Taking serious note of the allegations, the High Court directed the CBFC to appear through its advocate within two days. The case is expected to proceed with detailed arguments on the scope of the Board’s powers in the next hearing.
Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi draws from the real-life journey of a monk-turned-political leader and has already sparked interest for its political and biographical undertones.