Onir Calls Out CBFC Double Standards Over Satluj vs Chauhaan

Studio CarryOnHarry Entertainment Desk | 9 July 2026

Acclaimed filmmaker Onir has stepped into the spotlight with a bold and pointed observation about what he believes is a deeply unequal approach to film censorship in India. Onir publicly voiced his concern that the Central Board of Film Certification appears to be applying two very different yardsticks — one for films backed by mainstream Bollywood stars and another for projects touching on sensitive or minority-related subject matter.

At the heart of Onir’s criticism is the contrast between Diljit Dosanjh’s upcoming film Satluj and Ajay Devgn’s forthcoming project Chauhaan. According to Onir, Satluj has been put through an unusually rigorous certification process, while Chauhaan — which deals with nationalist and military themes — is widely expected to sail through the CBFC review with little to no friction. The filmmaker has described this disparity as a glaring example of selective censorship.

Onir’s remarks have resonated strongly within creative communities across Bollywood and beyond, reigniting long-standing debates about whether India’s film regulatory body truly operates on a level playing field. Critics and artists alike have questioned whether a film’s political or cultural subject matter influences the degree of scrutiny it receives from the certification board.

The controversy arrives at a particularly charged moment for Indian cinema, where discussions around artistic freedom, representational fairness, and institutional accountability are gaining increasing momentum. Many in the industry argue that if the CBFC is to maintain its credibility, it must demonstrate a consistent and transparent approach to all submissions — regardless of who stars in them or what stories they choose to tell.

As the debate continues to grow louder, all eyes will be on how both Satluj and Chauhaan navigate their respective paths through the certification process — and whether the outcome lends weight to Onir’s allegations of institutional bias.

– Entertainment Desk, Studio Carry On Harry

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