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Since this is the first Rajinikanth film to earn a "A" certificate in more than thirty years—the last being Siva (1989)—the case takes on significance.
The makers of Rajinikanth's most recent movie, Coolie, Sun Pictures, filed a case contesting the film's "A" (adults only) certificate, which the Madras High Court dismissed on Thursday [Sun TV Network vs Central Board of Film Certification].
The ruling was delivered this morning by Justice TV Thamilselvi. The Court declared the plea to be without merit.
A comprehensive copy of the ruling is anticipated.
Since this is the first Rajinikanth film to earn a "A" certificate in more than thirty years—the last being Siva (1989)—the case takes on significance. The producers had contended that a 'A' grade inhibits family audience, a critical group for a mainstream entertainer.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) ARL Sundaresan represented the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) during the hearing and defended the choice to award the movie a "A" certificate.
He maintained that 'Coolie' contained a number of violent and severely scary sequences, as well as depictions of frequent drinking and smoking, which were inappropriate for young viewers.
The ASG argued that the picture should receive a 'A' (adults only) certificate because both the CBFC's examining and revising committees had concurred.
He said that if the filmmakers agreed to make additional adjustments to the movie, the CBFC had also offered to issue a U/A certificate (unrestricted with parental advice).
He said, nevertheless, that the filmmakers informed the CBFC that they were not prepared to remove any further portions from the movie.
The ASG also mentioned that although the movie was certified on August 4, the certification challenge wasn't filed until August 18.
Sun Pictures' attorney vehemently disagreed with these claims.
It was argued that the "A" grade was deterring families from seeing the movie, which had a direct effect on ticket sales and audience size.
When other action-packed movies, like the KGF franchise, received a U/A grade while showing higher levels of violence, the makers argued that the certificate was capricious and inconsistent.
Coolie has had tremendous financial success despite the certification dispute; in its first week, it made an estimated ₹400 crore worldwide.
Advocates M Sneha, Vimal Mohan, and Dinesh represented Sun Network.
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