Abhiruchi -August Month Episodes

Many people today no longer understand how film censor boards function or what criteria guide their certification decisions. Recent examples highlight the growing confusion and inconsistency in the process.

Akhanda 2, which features extreme violence, including repeated beheadings, was granted a UA 16+ certificate. In contrast, Mowgli, a film without comparable violent content, received an A certificate. Such contradictory classifications raise serious questions about the consistency, logic, and fairness of the certification system.

The irony is that these age restrictions are rarely enforced at theatres. Children well below sixteen are freely allowed into screenings of Akhanda 2, just as audiences enter Mowgli without any age verification. When rules are not implemented on the ground, the very purpose of certification becomes meaningless.

A regulatory system that exists only on paper fails both viewers and filmmakers. Over time, this disconnect steadily erodes public confidence in the censor board and in the authorities responsible for enforcing its decisions. When films with minimal violence face stricter restrictions while graphic content is diluted or overlooked, the board’s credibility inevitably suffers.

Unless certification standards are clearly defined and enforcement is made rigorous, trust in the entire regulatory framework will continue to decline.