Mumbai, August 17, 2023: The release of ‘OMG 2’, starring Akshay Kumar and Pankaj Tripathi, has created a buzz in the Indian film industry. While the movie is gaining appreciation for its content, it has also sparked a debate surrounding its ‘A – Adults Only’ certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). In an unexpected turn, Govind Namdev, reprising his role as Pujari in the film, recently took to Facebook to express his concerns about the rating given to the film.
‘OMG 2’, a sequel that delves into the realm of sex education, has been classified as an ‘A’ rated film by the CBFC, which restricts its audience to adults only. In his Facebook post, Namdev questioned this rating decision, particularly when considering the efforts the film had undertaken to meet censorship guidelines. He noted, “OMG, O MY GOD has been released after undergoing 24 censorship alterations, yet it received a senseless ‘A’ certification, supposedly to prevent teenagers—the target audience—from viewing the film.”
The actor went on to critique the board’s decision-making process by drawing a comparison with another film. He stated, “The intellectual engagement that the censor board should have applied to a film like ‘Adipurush’ was strangely funnelled into slicing and dicing a thought-provoking and progressive film like ‘OMG 2’.”
Namdev’s Facebook post concluded with a call for reconsideration of the rating. He highlighted the societal significance of ‘OMG 2’ and advocated for a more inclusive rating to encourage a positive impact on the youth. “It would be prudent if the Censor Board reevaluated its stance, perhaps awarding a ‘U/A’ certification to encourage a positive revolution for the advancement of our youth,” he wrote.
For context, ‘OMG 2’ underwent a thorough review process by the CBFC in July this year. The decision to reevaluate the film’s content was influenced by the backlash faced by the film ‘Adipurush’ in June 2023. After the review, ‘OMG 2’ was granted an ‘A’ rating, with a total of 27 alterations and adjustments to ensure compliance.
Despite the controversy surrounding its certification, ‘OMG 2’ has been performing remarkably well at the box office, amassing over 70 crore rupees and gaining positive reviews from audiences. The film’s success has further fueled the ongoing discussion about the rating system and its impact on content and audience reception in Indian cinema.
