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Timeline of Art Censorship
Art is a popular target of censorship. It includes banning movies which are deemed offensive to a few individuals to banning paintings or sculptures which could potentially hurt sentiments of a religious group. . The Cinematograph Act, 1952 and rules notified therein govern the public exhibition of films. The Programme and Advertising Code prescribed under the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994, governs the broadcast of films on television. The timeline provides instances wherein unwarranted restrictions were imposed on various forms of arts including paintings, movies, videos, sculptures etc.If you feel we have missed out on reporting any instance of art censorship, please use the report button to tell us more.
2021
Name : Maker of Punjabi movie ‘Shooter’ moves Punjab and Haryana High Court
Why was it banned? : The matter has reached the court in the wake of a petition filed by Kewal Singh, a resident of Mohali. The petitioner, claiming to be the owner of a music record company, has stated that he had produced the movie in Punjabi and English subtitles. The trailer of the movie was released on January 18, 2020, and the movie was to be released on February 21, 2020. It has been submitted that the notification on imposing a ban on the exhibition of the movie was without jurisdiction because the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had already issued a certificate on March 13, 2020, for the release of the movie.The Supreme Court (SC), in its order dated August 19, 2011, in the case titled ‘Prakash Jha Productions versus Union of India’, has already held that once the board has cleared the film for public viewing, screening of the same cannot be prohibited in the manner as sought to be done by the state. The Punjab government, through its notification dated February 10, 2020, suspended the exhibition of the film with immediate effect. During such suspension, the film shall be deemed to be an uncertified film in the state, it said. The allegations, according to the notification, is that the story of this movie is based on the life of gangster Sukha Kahlon, who was killed by rival gangster Vicky Gounder in January 2015, when six policemen were taking Kahlon back to Nabha jail in a jeep after a court hearing in Jalandhar. The order was to remain in force for a period of two months from the date of issue. Following the Punjab government, an order dated February 20, 2020, was issued by the Haryana government suspending the exhibition and screening of the film in Haryana, citing the same allegations.
State : Punjab and Haryana
Why was it banned? : The matter has reached the court in the wake of a petition filed by Kewal Singh, a resident of Mohali. The petitioner, claiming to be the owner of a music record company, has stated that he had produced the movie in Punjabi and English subtitles. The trailer of the movie was released on January 18, 2020, and the movie was to be released on February 21, 2020. It has been submitted that the notification on imposing a ban on the exhibition of the movie was without jurisdiction because the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had already issued a certificate on March 13, 2020, for the release of the movie.The Supreme Court (SC), in its order dated August 19, 2011, in the case titled ‘Prakash Jha Productions versus Union of India’, has already held that once the board has cleared the film for public viewing, screening of the same cannot be prohibited in the manner as sought to be done by the state. The Punjab government, through its notification dated February 10, 2020, suspended the exhibition of the film with immediate effect. During such suspension, the film shall be deemed to be an uncertified film in the state, it said. The allegations, according to the notification, is that the story of this movie is based on the life of gangster Sukha Kahlon, who was killed by rival gangster Vicky Gounder in January 2015, when six policemen were taking Kahlon back to Nabha jail in a jeep after a court hearing in Jalandhar. The order was to remain in force for a period of two months from the date of issue. Following the Punjab government, an order dated February 20, 2020, was issued by the Haryana government suspending the exhibition and screening of the film in Haryana, citing the same allegations.
State : Punjab and Haryana
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2021
Name : Uttarakhand high court refuses to stay release of movie, ‘Sherni’
Why was it banned? : An application, filed by wildlife activist Sangeeta Dogra, has been moved in a PIL that is already pending before the court. The original PIL deals with killing of animals that have been declared maneaters and the glorification of hunters. It demands a ban on engaging private shooters or hunters to kill maneaters. The case was mentioned by Dogra before the division bench of Chief Justice RS Chauhan and Justice Alok Kumar Verma. In her fresh application, Dogra sought a stay on the release of the movie. The bench, while denying relief, said it will take up the matter next Wednesday.
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : An application, filed by wildlife activist Sangeeta Dogra, has been moved in a PIL that is already pending before the court. The original PIL deals with killing of animals that have been declared maneaters and the glorification of hunters. It demands a ban on engaging private shooters or hunters to kill maneaters. The case was mentioned by Dogra before the division bench of Chief Justice RS Chauhan and Justice Alok Kumar Verma. In her fresh application, Dogra sought a stay on the release of the movie. The bench, while denying relief, said it will take up the matter next Wednesday.
State : All over India
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2021
Name : Grahan
Why was it banned? : Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Bibi Jagir Kaur has demanded that the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry ban the ‘Grahan’ web series that is based on the incidents of the 1984 riots. The series is scheduled to be released on Disney+Hotstar platform on June 24. Addressing a press conference , Kaur said, “A Sikh character has been portrayed in an objectionable manner in a web series called ‘Grahan’ based on the 1984 Sikh genocide. In the web series, the charge of Sikh genocide is being levelled against a Sikh character which is highly condemnable and fabricated.”
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Bibi Jagir Kaur has demanded that the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry ban the ‘Grahan’ web series that is based on the incidents of the 1984 riots. The series is scheduled to be released on Disney+Hotstar platform on June 24. Addressing a press conference , Kaur said, “A Sikh character has been portrayed in an objectionable manner in a web series called ‘Grahan’ based on the 1984 Sikh genocide. In the web series, the charge of Sikh genocide is being levelled against a Sikh character which is highly condemnable and fabricated.”
State : All over India
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2021
Name : The petition referred to films like Nyay: The Justice, Suicide or Murder: A Star Was Lost and Shashank.
Why was it banned? : Sushant Singh Rajput’s father filed a plea in Delhi High Court to ban films that were based on Sushant Singh Rajput
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : Sushant Singh Rajput’s father filed a plea in Delhi High Court to ban films that were based on Sushant Singh Rajput
State : All over India
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2021
Name : Aquarium
Why was it banned? : The petitioner, Jessy Mani, who is a nun and a psychologist by profession has opposed release of the film on the grounds that it allegedly "depicts the sexual relationship of nuns with two priests" The petition was filed in Kerala High Court and Delhi High Court
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : The petitioner, Jessy Mani, who is a nun and a psychologist by profession has opposed release of the film on the grounds that it allegedly "depicts the sexual relationship of nuns with two priests" The petition was filed in Kerala High Court and Delhi High Court
State : All over India
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2021
Name : Family Man 2
Why was it banned? : Mano Thangaraj, in his letter to the Union Government stated the reason for proposing a ban the web-series as the discredition of Eelam Tamils."The sacrifices of their long drawn out democratic battle has been intentionally undermined and it could not, by any stretch of the imagination, be considered merely as a serial with any value for tamil culture. Moreover, a serial which is loaded with insults and insinuations against the glorious tamil culture could never be considered as the one having any broadcasting value," Thangaraj said. The Minister also pointed out that for example, branding Tamil speaking actress Samantha as a terrorist in the serial is directly an attack on the pride of Tamils living around the world and no one would tolerate this kind of motivated and mischievous campaigning.
State : All over India including Tamil Nadu
Why was it banned? : Mano Thangaraj, in his letter to the Union Government stated the reason for proposing a ban the web-series as the discredition of Eelam Tamils."The sacrifices of their long drawn out democratic battle has been intentionally undermined and it could not, by any stretch of the imagination, be considered merely as a serial with any value for tamil culture. Moreover, a serial which is loaded with insults and insinuations against the glorious tamil culture could never be considered as the one having any broadcasting value," Thangaraj said. The Minister also pointed out that for example, branding Tamil speaking actress Samantha as a terrorist in the serial is directly an attack on the pride of Tamils living around the world and no one would tolerate this kind of motivated and mischievous campaigning.
State : All over India including Tamil Nadu
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2021
Name : Thalaivi
Why was it banned? : J Deepa, niece of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK’s late leader J Jayalalithaa, filed a plea in the Madras high Court seeking to ban the biopic Thalaivi. Deepa had contended that the film would wrongly portray her aunt’s life and also raised privacy concerns relating to both herself and her aunt. According to reports, Deepa had argued that a film on Jayalalithaa’s life would mean that she, too, would be a part of it and this, therefore, would lead to interference of her privacy. Deepa had also called for a ban on Queen, a web series fronted by Gautham Menon, that was also based on Jayalalithaa's life. In this, actor Ramya Krishnan had played Jayalalithaa's adult role.
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : J Deepa, niece of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK’s late leader J Jayalalithaa, filed a plea in the Madras high Court seeking to ban the biopic Thalaivi. Deepa had contended that the film would wrongly portray her aunt’s life and also raised privacy concerns relating to both herself and her aunt. According to reports, Deepa had argued that a film on Jayalalithaa’s life would mean that she, too, would be a part of it and this, therefore, would lead to interference of her privacy. Deepa had also called for a ban on Queen, a web series fronted by Gautham Menon, that was also based on Jayalalithaa's life. In this, actor Ramya Krishnan had played Jayalalithaa's adult role.
State : All over India
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2021
Name : The White Tiger
Why was it banned? : Copyright violation
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : Copyright violation
State : All over India
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2021
Name : FWICE (The Federation of Western India Cine Employees ) bans Ram Gopal Varma
Why was it banned? : FWICE alleged that director Ram Gopal Varma hasn't paid close to Rs 1 crore in salaries to artistes, technicians and workers.
State : Not Provided
Why was it banned? : FWICE alleged that director Ram Gopal Varma hasn't paid close to Rs 1 crore in salaries to artistes, technicians and workers.
State : Not Provided
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2021
Name : Joker
Why was it banned? : Glorification of violence
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : Glorification of violence
State : All over India
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2021
Name : Ban on songs
Why was it banned? : Plea in Delhi HC seeking ban all non-film songs on internet with obscene content
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : Plea in Delhi HC seeking ban all non-film songs on internet with obscene content
State : All over India
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2021
Name : Ban on Bhojpuri songs
Why was it banned? : Obscenity and vulgarity
State : Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
Why was it banned? : Obscenity and vulgarity
State : Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
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2021
Name : Granting of certification to the film Maradu 357 Sandeep Mehta and Ors v. Union of India and Ors.
Why was it banned? : The petitioners were builders of the apartment, which was the subject matter of the film, and they claimed that the movie would unfairly prejudice their right to a fair trial.
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : The petitioners were builders of the apartment, which was the subject matter of the film, and they claimed that the movie would unfairly prejudice their right to a fair trial.
State : All over India
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2021
Name : Stay on the release of the Film Haathi Mere Saathi Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited v. Eros International Media Limited And Anr
Why was it banned? : Filed by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, the application for interlocutory injunction was filed seeking a stay on the release of this film, on grounds that the movie had denigrated its registered trademark ‘DRL’ [it depicted the destruction of an elephant corridor to build the ‘DRL Township’].
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : Filed by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, the application for interlocutory injunction was filed seeking a stay on the release of this film, on grounds that the movie had denigrated its registered trademark ‘DRL’ [it depicted the destruction of an elephant corridor to build the ‘DRL Township’].
State : All over India
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2021
Name : ‘Mafia Queens of Mumbai’ and Gangubai Kathiawadi [NOT A BAN, but still a restriction on art as a mode of free speech]
Why was it banned? : Criminal Defamation complaint filed against the authors of the book and the movie makers, for allegedly portraying the subject of the story, Ms. Kathiawadi, as a , “prostitute, brothel keeper and mafia queen in the film and the book.”, and also for representing her in the promo as smoking a bidi. Also, for causing harassment of the women allegedly associated with Ms. Kathiawadi in the past.
State : Process issued against the 5 accused for the offences u/s. 500-502 IPC, read with S.34 IPC.
Why was it banned? : Criminal Defamation complaint filed against the authors of the book and the movie makers, for allegedly portraying the subject of the story, Ms. Kathiawadi, as a , “prostitute, brothel keeper and mafia queen in the film and the book.”, and also for representing her in the promo as smoking a bidi. Also, for causing harassment of the women allegedly associated with Ms. Kathiawadi in the past.
State : Process issued against the 5 accused for the offences u/s. 500-502 IPC, read with S.34 IPC.
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2021
Name : Plea seeking a ban on the movie Mumbai Saga – Ravi Mahesh Bohra and Ors. v. The State of Maharashtra and Ors.
Why was it banned? : Mr. Bohra and other members of the gangster Mr. Naik have alleged in this writ petition that the movie, based on their lives, violates their right to fair trial under Article 21 of the Constitution.
State : No and-interim relief granted, and the writ got posted for hearing on April 29, 2021.
Why was it banned? : Mr. Bohra and other members of the gangster Mr. Naik have alleged in this writ petition that the movie, based on their lives, violates their right to fair trial under Article 21 of the Constitution.
State : No and-interim relief granted, and the writ got posted for hearing on April 29, 2021.
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2021
Name : FIR against Kangana Ranaut
Why was it banned? : For copyright violation in Manikarnika: The Legend of Didda
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : For copyright violation in Manikarnika: The Legend of Didda
State : All over India
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2021
Name : National Commission for Protection of Child Rights sent notice to Netflix to prevent streaming of Bombay Begums
Why was it banned? : For inappropriate depictions of children in the series in casual sex and drug abuse.
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : For inappropriate depictions of children in the series in casual sex and drug abuse.
State : All over India
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2021
Name : The ‘Tandav’ Controversy Aparna Purohit v. State of UP and Anr. CR.P.C. No. - 1794 of 2021
Why was it banned? : For hurting religious sentiments of the Hindu Community
State : -
Why was it banned? : For hurting religious sentiments of the Hindu Community
State : -
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2020
Name : Netflix Bad Boy Billionaires: India
Why was it banned? : Invasion of Privacy
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : Invasion of Privacy
State : All over India
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2020
Name : Netflix Bad Boy Billionaires: India
Why was it banned? : Malign the petitioner's image and adversely affect his company
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : Malign the petitioner's image and adversely affect his company
State : All over India
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2020
Name : Chanda: A Signature that Ruined a Career"
Why was it banned? : Defamatory
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : Defamatory
State : All over India
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2020
Name : Gunjan Saxena- The Kargil Girl
Why was it banned? : Allegedly portrayed the ministry of defense as sexist and distorted facts
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : Allegedly portrayed the ministry of defense as sexist and distorted facts
State : All over India
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2020
Name : Last Week Tonight With John Oliver
Why was it banned? : Critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : Critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi
State : All over India
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2020
Name : Madam Secretary
Why was it banned? : India-Pakistan relation and Kashmir
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : India-Pakistan relation and Kashmir
State : All over India
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2020
Name : Mission Impossible: Fall Out
Why was it banned? : Not Provided
State : all over India
Why was it banned? : Not Provided
State : all over India
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2019
Name : FIR against Netflix
Why was it banned? : Defaming India and hurting Hindu sentiments
State : Not Provided
Why was it banned? : Defaming India and hurting Hindu sentiments
State : Not Provided
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2019
Name : Bhobishoter Bhoot
Why was it banned? : Fear of mob-reprisal
State : West Bengal
Why was it banned? : Fear of mob-reprisal
State : West Bengal
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2018
Name : Sacred Games
Why was it banned? : Defaming former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi In a dialogue
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : Defaming former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi In a dialogue
State : All over India
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2018
Name : Complaint against Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap
Why was it banned? : Hurting Sikh Sentiments
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : Hurting Sikh Sentiments
State : All over India
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2017
Name : Amazon Prime - American Gods
Why was it banned? : Offends religious sentiments
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : Offends religious sentiments
State : All over India
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2016
Name : Delhi High Court Asks Centre to Examine if Soft Porn Is Being Shown on Hotstar
Why was it banned? : Explicit content
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : Explicit content
State : All over India
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2017
Name : S Durga
Why was it banned? : offensive content
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : offensive content
State : All over India
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2016
Name : Udta Punjab
Why was it banned? : offensive content
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : offensive content
State : All over India
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2016
Name : Grand Tour
Why was it banned? : Offends religious sentiments
State : All over India
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2017
Name : Jolly LLB 2
Why was it banned? : Negative portrayal of lawyers
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : Negative portrayal of lawyers
State : All over India
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2006
Name : Slayers: Christ Illusion
Why was it banned? : Hurt Christian and Muslim sentiments
State : All over India
Why was it banned? : Hurt Christian and Muslim sentiments
State : All over India
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