Mumbai, June 23: Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt recently shared his thoughts on one of Hindi cinema’s most talked-about films, ‘Black Friday,’ in an interview. Directed by Anurag Kashyap, this film faced significant controversy during its release, which delayed its screening in theaters for several years. Bhatt has now expressed his views on the matter.
In the interview, Vikram Bhatt stated, “I found ‘Black Friday’ to be an excellent film. It is a remarkable example of cinema. However, the circumstances at the time of its intended release were different. Several cases related to the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts were pending in court, and a final verdict was awaited. It was essential for any institution to respect the law and judicial process.”
He further explained, “If a film based on a pending court case is released, it can influence public perception. Therefore, the censor board’s decision was justified. Their responsibilities are distinct. As a government body, the censor board must ensure that no content related to ongoing legal matters is released that could sway public opinion. At that time, the board decided to wait for the court’s verdict before allowing the film’s release.”
During the conversation, Bhatt also mentioned, “Later, the ‘Delhi Crime’ series was made about the Nirbhaya case, which audiences appreciated. This was possible because the legal process had been completed in that case. Once a judicial decision is made, creating and releasing films or series on that subject becomes easier. If a case is still in court, the situation is different.”
It is noteworthy that ‘Black Friday’ is based on the book by S. Hussain Zaidi, depicting the investigation of the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts and the events surrounding it. The film premiered in 2004, but due to legal issues, it was not allowed to be released in theaters for an extended period. Ultimately, after the court’s decision, the film received approval for release in 2007, garnering acclaim from both audiences and critics.
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