In a surprising revelation, acclaimed filmmaker Hansal Mehta has shared how fellow director Vivek Agnihotri became an unexpected champion for his controversial film Omerta during a bitter battle with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Mehta recalled the incident in an exclusive conversation with SCREEN, detailing the intense censorship challenges faced by the film based on terrorist Omar Saeed Sheikh.
The Censorship Battle Over a Provocative Scene
Mehta explained that the CBFC had demanded multiple cuts, strongly objecting to a specific scene that depicted the protagonist's defiance. The scene showed Omar Saeed Sheikh, played by Rajkummar Rao, in his jail cell during Independence Day celebrations. While the Indian National Anthem played and the flag was hoisted, the character is seen urinating inside his cell, with his back visible to the camera.
The board's objection centered on the act of disrespect during the anthem. Mehta argued that the scene was intentional, designed to showcase the character's angst against the Indian state. "I said, 'No, you should actually be happy, because this makes you angsty. There's a Pakistani man, if you have an agenda, then he's fulfilling your agenda also, no?" he recounted. However, the CBFC did not relent, pushing the film to a revising committee.
Vivek Agnihotri's Decisive Intervention
This is where Vivek Agnihotri, known for films like The Kashmir Files and who was a member of the CBFC at the time, played a pivotal role. Mehta revealed that Agnihotri "fought the most for the film, not to get it cut." During the crucial revising committee screening, which Mehta missed as he was in the US shooting Simran, his son Jai Mehta attended.
Jai reported back that Vivek Agnihotri vehemently argued with other committee members. Thanks to Agnihotri's advocacy, the film ultimately received only two cuts, a significant reduction from the multiple edits initially demanded. Mehta expressed his gratitude for this support, stating, "So I even thanked them. I said, 'Yeah, thanks.' Otherwise, they had asked for multiple cuts in the film."
Context and Aftermath
Omerta, released in 2017, forms part of what Mehta describes as a thematically linked "Muslim trilogy" alongside Shahid and Faraaz. These films are known for tackling hard-hitting and politically sensitive subjects. The struggle with the censor board over Omerta highlights the perennial challenges filmmakers face when dealing with contentious real-life narratives in India's evolving socio-political climate.
The incident, recalled by Mehta on December 18, 2025, sheds light on the often-unseen negotiations within certification boards and how alliances between filmmakers can emerge in unexpected ways to protect creative expression.
