Censor Board wants to ban the use of 'Bombay' in films?

Karan Johar, Rani Mukerji

The Censor Board's recent decision to beep out 'Bombay' from singer Mihir Joshi's new track, 'Sorry', was just the tip of the iceberg. Now, the board is said to have decided to impose an umbrella ban on the city's old name, advising producer associations against accepting its registration for film titles, or usage in dialogues and lyrics.

Karan Johar in Anurag Kashyap's upcoming film, 'Bombay Velvet'

A source says, "Producer Ashok Kaul had submitted his film titled 'Bombay Central' for certification, but the Board asked him to change it to Mumbai Central. The certificate was issued to him only after he made the required change."

Rani Mukerji in the 2013 film 'Bombay Talkies'

Sources in the Censor Board suggest that they were merely following guidelines set by the state government in its 1996 gazette notification to restore the original name of the city as Mumbai. Hence, it is planning to write to all film producer bodies to steer clear of 'Bombay' in film titles, dialogues and lyrics.

Also read: How Bollywood film titles and songs would sound if 'Bombay' gets axed

The advisory would apparently be sent to the Film and Television Producers Guild, Indian Film and Television Producer Council, Western India Film Producers Association and Indian Motion Picture Producers Association.

Meanwhile, a Mudgal Committee proposal aims to make the Board the point for clearing film posters following allegations of vulgarity and obscenity in such publicity materials.