Bhagyaraj says Vazhakku En 18/9 ought to have been given 'U'

An interactive session on ‘alternative cinema’ was held under the auspices of the Directors Association in Chennai. ‘Vazhakku En 18/9’, directed by Balaji Shakthivel, which was given ‘U/A’, came up for discussion. The general view was the film ought to have given U certificate.

Director Bhagyaraj, participating in the discussion, said Tamil audiences are a well-informed lot on films. They have high-level of appreciation and can also view a film critically. There is a critic in every filmgoer. He cited his ‘Chinna Veedu’, which received critical acclaim. Viewers know about films much more than directors. They should keep this mind while making films.

He said ‘Vazhakku En 18/9’ was given U/A. He could not understand what the censors’ perception was. The film ought to have been given ‘U’. Directors and producers should have fought for this. Though some scenes in the film did not conform to the norms laid down for grant of U certificate the censors should not have viewed them in isolation; they should have been guided by the situations and the context in which those scenes were set and what the director intended to convey to the viewers, Bhagyaraj said.

Director Lingusamy has already appealed to the State Government to consider tax exemption for Vazhakku En 18/9 which was released recently. Films with U certificates alone are eligible for tax exemption. He said the film has received rave reviews and been acclaimed by all sections of the people.

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Vazhakku Enn 18/9