'Will Decide On Certification In Two Days': CBFC Tells Bombay High Court In Plea By Makers Of Film Based On Yogi Adityanath

The Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) on Thursday told the Bombay High Court that it will decide within two working days on a plea for certification by makers of a movie titled "Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi."

The makers of the movie had approached the High Court seeking a direction to decide their application for certification as soon as possible.

A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Dr Neela Gokhale recorded the statement of senior counsel Abhay Khandeparkar for the CBFC that they will decide the application within two working days and closed the matter without making any observations on merits.

"Nothing survives for consideration now. Needless to state that the decision taken by the CBFC will have to be communicated to the petitioners on the same day. We make it clear, we have not commented on the merits of the matter," the judges said in the order. 

Notably, the film in question, is inspired by the book “The Monk Who Became Chief Minister” authored by Shantanu Gupta, which is purportedly based on the life of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The petitioners have highlighted the fact that the CBFC has made a 'baseless' demand which is to bring a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the UP Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

"The Petitioner is further aggrieved by the CBFC's erroneous, extraneous and baseless demand for a NOC from the CMO of Uttar Pradesh —despite there being no such requirement existing under the statute i.e. Cinematograph Act or the Rules framed thereunder. It is pertinent to note that such an erroneous requirement / request is not only extremely prejudicial to the professional interests of the Petitioner but also detrimental to its financial interests," the petition reads.

The petitioners have stated that this (demanding an NOC) "irrational, unreasonable and illegal demand" being put forward by the CBFC for obtaining a NOC from the CMO's office, is nothing but a ploy to delay the release of the motion picture “Ajey” that too when the same is due for theatrical release on August 1st, 2025.

"It is also a matter of fact and record that the book which forms the foundational inspiration for the motion picture 'Ajey', has been officially endorsed by the CMO, Uttar Pradesh. This official recognition is a clear testament to the bona fide intentions of the author and the truthful, respectful, and inspiring portrayal of the life and public leadership of a prominent contemporary political figure. It is submitted that the purpose of the film is not only to depict the journey of a leader in public service but also to motivate and inspire the youth of the nation through a narrative grounded in fact and integrity," the petitioners have stated.

Appearance: 

Senior Advocate Ravi Kadam along with Advocates Satatya Anand and Nikhil Aradhe appeared for the Petitioners.

Senior Advocate Abhay Khandeparkar represented CBFC.