The film will be screened minus any cuts and will be preceded by a disclaimer that it is a work of fiction. In taking a decision on allowing screening of the film scheduled for worldwide release on Friday, the CBFC has accommodated the viewpoint of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India and the Delhi Catholic Church.
Based on Dan Brown’s bestseller ‘The Da Vinci Code’ it suggests that Jesus married Mary Magdelene, sired a child and that his bloodline exists right into the century.
The film was premiered at the 59th Cannes Film Festival in France on Wednesday.
Representatives of Catholic groups met this morning and suggested insertion of “strong and lingering disclaimers” describing it as a work of pure fiction with “no resemblance to historical truth.”
Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunshi told mediapersons here on Thursday that the film will be preceded by a disclaimer that it is fictitious in nature. He said this had been done keeping
in mind the sensibilities of the Catholic Christian community. “There will be no cuts and no editing of the film which has been given ‘A’ certification,” Dashmunshi said.The I&B Minister said the CBFC will convey its decision to Sony Pictures, the producer of the film. He said the release of the film “may at the most be delayed by a day or two if it takes time to contact the producers.
The Minister watched the film on Wednesday at a special screening with representatives of Catholic organisations. The decision of the CBFC is based on the collective response of Catholic organsiations.
The ministry decided to adopt a cautious and participatory approach in arriving at a decision on the film after it received 290 petitions against the screening of the film from a large number of Catholic organisations.
Dasmunshi had said yesterday that his Ministry would not interfere in the matter as a final decision in such cases is always taken by the CBFC. He said in the case of films that have an impact on religious, ethnic or any other social susceptibility, the CBFC follows clear guidelines spelt out by the government.
The All India Catholic Union insists that the controversy over the film has not died with this feeble action taken by the government. AICU President John Dayal has
written to the I&B Minister to voice opposition to the CBFC’s decision. The letter reads: “The CBFC and the government have abdicated their responsibility.”
The AICU has said: “The government should have taken suo motu action against the film whose storyline is an anathema to the Church and an insult to our faith. By calling Church representatives for a preview, they have put the onus on the Church.”
