The CBFC in India has been firm and particular about a list of things and, the filmmakers have to oblige the rules. There have been so many instances where there was a clash between CBFC board and the filmmakers over censorship and NOC letters. One such film that has come under this radar is Anupam Kher ’s The Accidental Prime Minister which is a biopic on the life of former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Considering the fact that real life figures and huge political entities are involved, CBFC Cheif Pahlaj Nihalani has declared that the makers would need to submit NOC from the former PM and Sonia Gandhi.

In a media statement Nihalani stated, “The makers of The Accidental Prime Minister, producer Sunil Bohra, would have to get an NOC from Manmohan Singhji, Sonia Gandhiji and all the other real-life politicians who are part of the narrative. This rule applies without fail. There are no exceptions.”

“And although my current tenure as the CBFC chairperson ends in January 2018 and this film will come up for censorship after that, I am sure the guidelines regarding biopics would remain unchanged,” he further added.

Talking about the people who are involved with the film, he said, “Anupam Kher was himself the CBFC chairperson not too long so. Ashoke Pandit who considers himself a part of the CBFC, is also a part of the film on Manmohan Singhji. And Hansal Mehta who is writing the film, claims to be a victim of the censorship guidelines every time his film is on release. I can’t imagine how these people cannot be aware of the NOC required for censor clearance of films based on real-life figures.”

“He’s such a versatile actor. At the age of 28, he had played an old man so brilliantly in ‘Saaransh’. I am sure he will do full justice to Manmohan Singhji’s character, though it would have to be more expressions than words. As we all know, Manmohan Singhji hardly speaks. I am sure the dialogue writer would not have much to contribute to the character,” Nihalani added.

Directed by Vijay Ratnakar Gutte, the film has been scheduled to release in 2018.