Rani Mukherjee wants to re-certify ‘Mardaani’

Actress Rani Mukerji, who is enjoying the success of Mardaani, said on Tuesday that she will send the film to the Indian Censor Board for re-certification.

Despite being awarded an A certificate, Mardaani, which earned Rs150 million (Dh9.1 million) in its opening weekend, has been made tax-free in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

The actress is keen to show the film which focuses on trafficking in women to children who are above 12 years.

“I am so happy with the response to Mardaani. Many people have asked me why the film has been given an A certificate? I am going to put in all my efforts to re-certify Mardaani, which will make a huge difference,” Mukherjee said.

The actress wonders what the censor board is trying to protect the young viewers from? “...this is very sad and disappointing. So many people have called me and said it’s so sad that they can’t show the film to their children and that they are waiting for the film’s DVDs so that their children can also watch it,” she said.

Mukherjee is campaigning for a new category that will allow children above 12 years to watch a film like Mardaani, which has been directed by Pradeep Sarkar and produced by Yash Raj Films.

Request from NGOs

She said: “I have people from NGOs who want to show the film to children. So, I will take a letter from them to the censor board. We have made the film to spread awareness among children.

“I don’t know why we are shying away from reality. Had we wanted a U/A certificate, we could have easily got that by chopping a few scenes, but that’s not the point. We want kids 12 years and above to watch the film.”

Meanwhile, Mukherjee urged the Maharashtra government to make Mardaani tax-free.

She said: “I am so happy that the film has been made tax-free in UP [Uttar Pradesh] and that shows the relevance of the film. I also want [the] Maharashtra government to make it tax-free.”