Kapil Sibbal Calls for Award, Not Ban, on ‘Sahaya’ Amid Certification Standoff

In a striking statement made on September 14 in New Delhi, former Union minister Kapil Sibbal, after personally viewing *Sahaya*, urged the government to recognise the film’s artistic merit instead of continuing its suspension. He slammed the CBFC’s refusal to certify the movie, describing the move as “unjustified”.

Sibbal emphasized that the narrative focuses on the everyday man trapped in violent turmoil and the love that persists despite it. “There is no gratuitous or offensive content that warrants a blanket ban,” he said. “A work of such caliber should be celebrated, perhaps even awarded, rather than suppressed.”

He hinted at political interference, questioning whether the decision was influenced by the controversy surrounding the so‑called ‘four PMs’ attached to the project. The former minister also warned that such censorship trends could jeopardise the nation’s democratic ethos.

“The administration appears detached from the reality that art reflects society,” Sibbal remarked. “If any particular segment is truly objectionable, it should be identified expressly, not concealed behind a vague denial.”

The film’s producer, Sanjay Sharma, has lodged a final appeal with the board on August 23, invoking statutory timelines that require a response within five days. Over twenty days later, the board has offered no clarification on whether the film underwent a second viewing or how the appeal was evaluated.

The original denial, issued on August 27, centered on alleged links to Naxal ideology. Sharma recounted a senior board official’s comment that the film would have easily secured certification had it been shot in Uttar Pradesh, suggesting an uneven application of standards based on geography and potentially discouraging filmmakers from shooting in tribal regions.