My First Film Was Given An 'A' Certificate: Balachandra Menon

Balachandra Menon, is one such Malayalam celebrity who has got immense knowledge about cinema. He never shies away from giving opinion about issues that the industry is facing.

Recently, the actor took to his Facebook page to comment on the censorship issues that has taken the front stage since the controversies regarding Udta Punjab have surfaced. The actor-director also uploaded a video footage from his recent film Njan Samvidhanam Cheyyum.

Take a look at the Facebook post of Balachandra Menon..

Interestingly, he revealed through his Facebook post that his debut directorial venture Uthrada Rathri (1978), which released in the year was given an 'A' certificate with cuts. His subsequent films like Kalika (1980) and Maniyanpilla Adhava Maniyanpilla (1981) were also given an 'A' certificate.

It has to be noted that all the above films are considered to be classics with quality content and still we wonder why these films were given an 'A' certificate.

He admitted that he was a bit worried about the rating given to his debut movie, since he feared that his film would also be branded as a sleazy movie like the other 'A' rated films of those days.

Balachandra Menon also explains another situation when he had a tiff with a Censor Board member, when the actor-director was not willing to change a particular dialogue, which was considered unsuitable by the board members.

But, the actor is also of the opinion that a body like Censor Board should exist but with the rules and guidelines of the body changed, to suit the present day situations.

He also opined that a healthy discussion between Censor Board and the film-maker is necessary to clarify many things. At the same time, he mentioned that he respects and gives prominent importance to the creative liberty of an artist.

He also wished the makers of Udta Punjab all the very best and hoped that upcoming Malayalam movie Kathakali, which has been entangled in censorship issues, would find a way to the theatres soon.

Balachandra Menon would be next seen in Jeethu Joseph's film Oozham which has Prithviraj in the lead role. The film is set to hi the theatres during Onam season.