The winds of liberality are blowing across the corridors of the CBFC. Anubhav Sinha, who has acquired the reputation of being Bollywood’s resident Costa Gavras after the film Mulk, was  apprehensive about how the censor board would react to his new political drama Article 15, a scathing indictment of the caste system, inequality  discrimination and injustice in Uttar Pradesh.

Says Anubhav happily, “The CBFC asked for just  five very basic negligible cuts, to which we agreed  in less than a minute.The cuts were for foul words  and they asked for a voiceover with disclaimer, very  reasonable requests that I was happy to comply with.”

Article 15 has been given a “U/A” certificate. “And that too with nominal cuts. I am very happy,” says Anubhav who has just returned from screening  Article 15 at the 10th London Indian Festival.

“The response was very positive from audiences  both at London and Birmingham. About 90 percent  of the audience stayed back for the Q & A session after the screening. I am told 60 percent of the audience leaves after such screenings. To my surprise, they got all the cultural and caste references although 50 percent of the audience was white.”

As for those sections of protesters who are  shouting against Article 15, Anubhav has some  advice. “Relax. Take deep breaths. Wait for the film to be released, watch it and then form your opinions.”

Also Read: Ayushmann Khurrana wrapped up Anubhav Sinha’s Article 15 in 30 days