'Mollywood Times' producer Ashiq Usman questioned over alleged CBFC certification violation

Thiruvananthapuram: Producer of the Malayalam film 'Mollywood Times', Ashiq Usman, was questioned by Kerala Police on Saturday in connection with allegations that the movie was screened in theatres with scenes and dialogues that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had ordered to be removed.

Usman appeared before the Thiruvallam Police after being served a notice as part of the ongoing investigation.

Police said the film's director, distributor, digital cinema content service providers, and theatre owners, all named as accused in the case, will also be questioned in the coming days.

The case was registered on June 17 following a complaint by the regional officer of the CBFC under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

According to investigators, the film was granted a U/A 16+ certificate after the CBFC directed the makers to delete certain scenes and objectionable dialogues.

However, after its theatrical release on June 5, the film was allegedly exhibited with those deleted portions intact, violating the conditions of its certification.

Police have booked the accused under Section 7(1)(a)(ii) of the Cinematograph Act, which deals with the exhibition of films in breach of certification conditions.

(With inputs from PTI)