Nihalani terms BBFC certification for 'Padmavati' illegal

Former Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairman Pahlaj Nihalani on Thursday termed the British Board of Film Certification's (BBFC) decision of certifying the movie 'Padmavati' 'illegal'.

In a recent turn of events, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's highly anticipated epic drama was certified by the BBFC without a single cut.

Nihalani told ANI, "Till the time any film gets Indian certificate, it cannot be exported. The important thing right now is how the makers did it. They need to have a certificate before the film is sent out. If they have got the certificate in the UK without even sending the film, then, as per law, it's not right and against the law."

He added, "BBFC cannot decide when the film will release. Even if the film is released outside India, it will eventually be pirated to India."

Nihalani also condemned the threats given to Deepika Padukone and others saying, "Why has the government not arrested those people who have threatened to chop off Deepika's nose? Had a politician been threatened, they would have been arrested by now. The political parties have proved it's all about votes.