At a time when the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is under fire for its stringent demands on films like Punjab 95, Santosh, and Janaki vs State of Kerala, filmmaker Karan Johar has taken a contrasting stance. Speaking at the trailer launch of his upcoming film Dhadak 2, which reportedly underwent 16 cuts before receiving certification, Karan commended the censor board, stating that it is “trying to protect sensitivity.”
At the event, the filmmaker said, “Dharma Productions has always been associated with a certain kind of cinema. Time and again, we’ve tried to shape our narratives responsibly. We’ve consistently chosen themes that matter, and presented them with utmost sensitivity because that’s what the moment demands. Art has the power to influence, and cinema is one of the most impressionable mediums we have. Dhadak 2 is mainstream, yet it dares to ask difficult questions. I’ve never feared the repercussions of telling the truth. As our trailer says: ‘If you have a choice, then fight.’ And for me, the best way to fight is through cinema.”
Dhadak 2 is a remake of the critically acclaimed 2018 Tamil film Pariyerum Perumal, a story deeply rooted in caste-based injustice and marginalization.
Addressing the delay in the film’s release, Karan Johar explained, “Yes, it took us a while to reach the theatres, but I must say, the censor board was understanding and compassionate. They recognised what we were trying to convey. They were protecting the film’s sensitivity, and so were we. It was a collaborative process.”
Karan also reflected on the challenges of working within the certification timeline. “We respected their perspective. Sometimes, these processes take time and they should. That’s why the CBFC asks for early submissions. But we filmmakers often work last minute, and then complain when changes are requested at the eleventh hour. When that happens, we say, ‘Compromises hui hai.’ But let me be clear, there were no compromises (on Dhadak 2).”
