John Abraham on Madras Cafe ban demands: No one above Censor Board

Highlights

• Amidst the demands by various pro Tamil outfits for the ban on Madras Cafe, actor-producer John Abraham has said that he will definitely take his film to the audience as it has been given a clean chit by the Censor Board.
• Set in the late 80s and early 90s in India and Sri Lanka, the upcoming spy thriller traces the political and military histories of the neighbours and covers the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Lankan rebel group LTTE's activities through the eye of an agent, played by Abraham.
• MDMK leader Vaiko and Seeman, founder of 'Naaam Thamizhar Katchi (We Tamils Party) have sougt a ban on the film alleging that it has portrayed the outlawed LTTE in bad light.
• "I respect everybody's opinion. I respect Mr Vaiko's point of view and Mr Seeman's perspective. But it is very important that they also respect our opinion. This is a democracy. If the Censor Board has no objection with the film's content and has given us an U/A certificate, then I don't think there is anything wrong with the film. They are most welcome to go and raise their objections. And in our part, we will definitely take the film to the audience," said John.
• Madras Cafe has been directed by Shoojit Sircar, who has earlier collaborated with the 40-year-old actor in last year's sleeper hit film Vicky Donor.
• The director also expressed his angst over the issue and said that in a democracy, creativity should not be held on gun point.
• "As a director, I can only make a film and show it. Like a political party, we cannot just begin any protest against what is being done to us. Freedom of speech is important in a democracy. None is above Censor Board and they don't have a right to ban any film unless the President or Supreme Court has passed any orders," the Yahaan helmer said.
• "Earlier this year, Kamal Haasan's Vishwaroopam was not allowed to be screened in theatres across Tamil Nadu. More recently Vijay starrer Thalaivaa was not released in the state on the scheduled date. Whatever is happening in Tamil Nadu is wrong. I request them not to speculate much about the film. Let the people watch it and then decide. They can't force people not to watch the film. It is against the law," Sircar said.
• Madras Cafe also stars Nargis Fakhri, who plays a war correspondent and will mark the debut of actress Rashi Khanna.