Censor clamps on pregnancy scene

It’s never been shown in an Indian film before. In debutant director Raakhee Sandilya’s Ribbon, a heavily pregnant Kalki Koechlin is seen making love with her husband. Before they commence, the somewhat-alarmed husband asks his screen wife, “Is it safe?” “Yeah yeah,” drawl Kalki confidently, adding, “I Googled.”

Apparently this interlude between a husband and wife was  found to be highly  objectionable  by the Central Board Of Film Certification.  “I was asked to reduce the love-making scene by half.  I am not happy with this. It’s a natural thing for women to demand and get sex during times of high anxiety, like pregnancy,” says Raakhee.

Perhaps the CBFC had to keep Indian sentiments in mind, as many couples do consider it taboo to have sex during pregnancy. Raakhee disagrees, saying, “I had researched the matter before writing  it in my script. We need to evolve as a cinema-loving nation and get used to seeing a more mature view of relationships. But then there is not much I can do about the change asked for except comply.”

In the defence of the newly revamped CBFC helmed by Prasoon Joshi, they were willing let the pregnant lovemaking remain uncut if the director agreed to accept an ‘Adults’ certification. “I needed a ‘UA’ so I cut the scene by nearly 50 per cent which is a pity. The youth need to understand sexual needs as much as the older audience,” says Raakhee.