India's Censor Board refuses to certify 'Lipstick Under My Burkha'

India'sCentral Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has refused to grant certificate to Alankrita Shrivastavadirected film "Lipstick Under My Burkha" for allegedly containing"lady oriented" and "abusive words".

Speaking to ANI news agency, CBFC member Mamta Kale speaking on the CBFC's decision said, "The kind of content and the abusive language they have put in the movie is unacceptable."

The Censor Board felt the movie was "unsuitable for Indian audience", media reports said.Even as filmmakers and film critics began to criticise the move, CBFC chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani evaded question on the certification issue for the film, media reports said the film was denied certification by a group of women panellists.

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#WATCH: CBFC Chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani evades question on 'Lipstick Under My Burkha' certificate issue pic.twitter.com/DpgkoChWqG — ANI (@ANI_news) February 24, 2017

Filmmakers Shyam Benegal hit out at CBFC saying,"The Censor Board should certify the film not censor it. I'm against censorship of movies, to stop any film from being released is not justifiable."

Director Sudhir Mishra sided with the director, saying,"What right does anybody have to stop imaginative, young talented directors like Alankrita from exhibiting her film. The point is not whether CBFClikes it or not... The youth has a right to express themselves."

The controversy went viral on social media as soon as the decision was announced with #LipstickUnderMyBurkha trending on Twitter. The director of "Masaan" Neeraj Ghaywan was quick to share his thoughts, standing with director Alankrita Shrivastava.

Privileged men have an issue with sexually liberated women.

'Cannot be issued' is a ban. Let's call it that.https://t.co/zvndPtPOzI — Neeraj Ghaywan (@ghaywan) February 23, 2017

.@alankrita601's film #LipstickUnderMyBurkha that won an award for gender equality is being mansplained over being 'Lady oriented'. Irony! — Neeraj Ghaywan (@ghaywan) February 23, 2017

(WION with agency inputs)