Censor board didn't ask any cuts: The India Story director reacts to legal notice
The India Story director Chettan DK has denied reports that the CBFC asked for cuts to the film, saying the team only improvised a few scenes. His remarks come as the Kajal Aggarwal-Shreyas Talpade starrer faces a legal notice over its promotional material.
The India Story director Chettan DK has dismissed reports that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) asked the makers to make cuts to the film. Speaking exclusively to India Today, the filmmaker said the team voluntarily improvised a few scenes, even as the courtroom drama faces legal scrutiny ahead of its release over claims made in its promotional material.
Addressing reports about the film's certification, Chettan DK said, "There was no such cuts made. CBFC didn't ask us to cut or remove anything. But, yes we as a team with Shreyas (Talpade) and Kajal (Aggarwal Kitchlu) we brainstormed a few scenes and improvised it."
The director also responded to the controversy surrounding the film, saying he expected strong reactions given its subject matter.
"If the subject is like this, people are bound to talk. Those who want to criticise will criticise, and those who want to stop it will try to stop it. But this is based on real facts and a real story. After watching the film, people will also understand how pesticides and chemicals should be used, and where the line should be drawn," he said.
"We haven't targeted anyone. Our point is simply that these chemicals should be used only to the extent necessary. If you overuse them and end up putting other people's health at risk, that's wrong," the director added.
Ahead of the film's release, the makers have landed in legal trouble after receiving a notice over the claims made in its promotional campaign. As per reports, Bhavesh Sodha of Agri Business Centre has challenged the teaser and other promotional material, alleging that they present unverified and misleading information about India's agriculture, dairy and poultry sectors. The notice has also been served to Zee Studios and MIG Production & Studios LLP.
The complainant has argued that the film's promotions exaggerate the extent of food adulteration, pesticide use and cancer prevalence, while depicting Indian agriculture as a "slow poison" without adequate scientific evidence to support such assertions.
Among the key objections are statements in the teaser that allegedly suggest widespread overuse of pesticides by Indian farmers and contamination of a large share of the country's milk supply. The notice has also taken issue with a scene showing a syringe being injected into a chicken, calling it scientifically inaccurate and misleading. It further questions the promotional material for implying a direct link between farming practices and rising cancer cases.
The notice reportedly asks the filmmakers to disclose the research and scientific evidence backing these claims. It also seeks the removal of the teaser and other promotional content from online platforms, besides calling for changes to the film before its theatrical release.
Reports further state that a copy of the notice has been submitted to the CBFC, requesting that certification be withheld until the disputed content is either substantiated or modified.
The filmmakers have been given seven days to respond. If they fail to do so, the complainant has warned of initiating civil and criminal proceedings, including seeking a stay on the film's release.
Starring Kajal Aggarwal and Shreyas Talpade, The India Story explores the issue of food adulteration and its impact on public health. The courtroom drama is slated to hit theatres on July 24, 2026.
The India Story director Chettan DK has dismissed reports that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) asked the makers to make cuts to the film. Speaking exclusively to India Today, the filmmaker said the team voluntarily improvised a few scenes, even as the courtroom drama faces legal scrutiny ahead of its release over claims made in its promotional material.
Addressing reports about the film's certification, Chettan DK said, "There was no such cuts made. CBFC didn't ask us to cut or remove anything. But, yes we as a team with Shreyas (Talpade) and Kajal (Aggarwal Kitchlu) we brainstormed a few scenes and improvised it."
The director also responded to the controversy surrounding the film, saying he expected strong reactions given its subject matter.
"If the subject is like this, people are bound to talk. Those who want to criticise will criticise, and those who want to stop it will try to stop it. But this is based on real facts and a real story. After watching the film, people will also understand how pesticides and chemicals should be used, and where the line should be drawn," he said.
"We haven't targeted anyone. Our point is simply that these chemicals should be used only to the extent necessary. If you overuse them and end up putting other people's health at risk, that's wrong," the director added.
Ahead of the film's release, the makers have landed in legal trouble after receiving a notice over the claims made in its promotional campaign. As per reports, Bhavesh Sodha of Agri Business Centre has challenged the teaser and other promotional material, alleging that they present unverified and misleading information about India's agriculture, dairy and poultry sectors. The notice has also been served to Zee Studios and MIG Production & Studios LLP.
The complainant has argued that the film's promotions exaggerate the extent of food adulteration, pesticide use and cancer prevalence, while depicting Indian agriculture as a "slow poison" without adequate scientific evidence to support such assertions.
Among the key objections are statements in the teaser that allegedly suggest widespread overuse of pesticides by Indian farmers and contamination of a large share of the country's milk supply. The notice has also taken issue with a scene showing a syringe being injected into a chicken, calling it scientifically inaccurate and misleading. It further questions the promotional material for implying a direct link between farming practices and rising cancer cases.
The notice reportedly asks the filmmakers to disclose the research and scientific evidence backing these claims. It also seeks the removal of the teaser and other promotional content from online platforms, besides calling for changes to the film before its theatrical release.
Reports further state that a copy of the notice has been submitted to the CBFC, requesting that certification be withheld until the disputed content is either substantiated or modified.
The filmmakers have been given seven days to respond. If they fail to do so, the complainant has warned of initiating civil and criminal proceedings, including seeking a stay on the film's release.
Starring Kajal Aggarwal and Shreyas Talpade, The India Story explores the issue of food adulteration and its impact on public health. The courtroom drama is slated to hit theatres on July 24, 2026.
