Tamil film on 'Jallikattu' goes to censor revising panel

Chennai: ‘Marina Puratchi,’ a Tamil film on the massive 2017 protests in the state seeking nod to hold the traditional bull taming sport ‘Jallikattu,’ has been referred to the Censor Board’s revising committee.

The movie sent for certification to the regional office of the Central Board of Film Certification by the film makers about a week ago has already been seen by the examining committee which usually comprises of four members.

“Marina Puratchi is a film on the pride, sentiments, culture and uprising of the Tamil people. I am confident that the Revising Committee will give an opportunity to the Tamil people to see the movie,” film director M S Raj told PTI.

The film maker confirmed that the Board has intimated him that the movie would we seen by the revising committee for certification.

Neither denying nor confirming the move, an official at the CBFC’s regional office here said nothing could be spelt out now when the certification was under “process.” The revising committee will comprise of about ten members, the official added.

The movie, according to the makers, chronicles the struggle of 10 lakh Tamil people to get their “cultural right” of conducting the bull taming sport upheld by the authorities.

In January 2017, massive protests were held in Tamil Nadu seeking nod to hold bull taming sport ‘Jallikattu,’ and the sprawling Marina beach here emerged as the epicentre of the protests.

Following the protests, a Bill to allow jallikattu by amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 was unanimously adopted by the Tamil Nadu Assembly on January 23, 2017 after all parties welcomed the legislative initiative.

The “Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment), Act, 2017” was piloted by Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and adopted by voice vote.

It was deemed to have come into effect on the day the ordinance was issued, January 21, 2017. After the passage of the Bill, jallikattu is being held in Tamil Nadu during the Pongal (harvest festival season during January) season.