Acclaimed Tamil filmmaker and producer Vetri Maaran has approached the Madras High Court after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) denied a censor certificate to his latest production, Manushi, a political drama starring Andrea Jeremiah and directed by Gopi Nainar.
The legal challenge, filed as a writ petition, was scheduled to be heard by Justice N. Anand Venkatesh on Monday, June 2. However, due to scheduling delays, the case was not taken up until 6 p.m., prompting the judge to direct the court registry to list the matter again on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
According to the petition, the film, produced under Vetri Maaran’s banner Grassroot Film Company, centres on the custodial interrogation of a woman suspected of terrorism. The filmmaker alleges that the CBFC refused certification in September 2024, citing concerns that the film depicted the State unfavourably and blurred distinctions between leftist and mainstream communist ideologies.
Vetri Maaran contends that the decision was made without granting him a hearing or sharing the individual opinions of the censor board members involved. In response, he submitted a formal representation to the CBFC on March 29, 2025, requesting a re-evaluation by an expert panel, ideally including human rights advocates. He has also expressed willingness to make necessary edits if any parts of the film are found to violate constitutional limits on free expression.
The trailer for Manushi, released in April 2024, was met with critical praise, particularly for its depiction of state violence and the emotional trauma of custodial torture.
In addition to Andrea Jeremiah, the cast features performances by Nasser, Tamizh, Hakkim Shah, and Balaji Sakthivel. The music is composed by Ilaiyaraaja.
