Hindi
CBFS prodding has makers change film name
MUMBAI: For the first time, a film‘s title had to be changed because the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFS) had some reservations.
Though it released on 9 March, the makers of the Bengali film Macho Mustafa had to go through prodding times at the hands of the CBFS. The reason: the censoring authority didn‘t like the original title Macho Mastana.
“As the Censor Board expressed reservations about the title, we sought feedback from community leaders and accordingly the name was changed less than a month before the film‘s release,” director Reshmi Mitra has reportedly said.
“We were told that the term ‘Macho‘ cannot be prefixed to God (Allah) and this may hurt religious sentiments,” she explained.
The budget for the film, of which Rs 70 million had already been spent, went up by at least Rs 3 million more on account of frame-by-frame correction in the computer generated imagery (CGI), which was essential.
The budget has further swelled because the correction of shots were done at a Chennai studio, Mitra said. The film‘s old name and logos were displayed in some shots, which had to be changed and the whole title track, with the emblazoned old name, had to be re-recorded after building a new set, she pointed out.
However, things would be better if they were made aware of the title‘s sensitivity beforehand as posters, publicity materials and hundreds of audio CDs bearing the old name had already been printed, she observed.
Hindi
Rajesh Ramaswamy exits The Script Room to focus on filmmaking journey
Ad filmmaker steps away from own venture to pursue direction and storytelling
MUMBAI: In a move that has caught the attention of the advertising and creative community, Rajesh Ramaswamy has announced his exit from The Script Room, the company he co-founded, marking the end of a seven-year stint at the helm.
The decision, which came into effect earlier this month, signals a shift in focus for Ramaswamy, who is now looking to immerse himself fully in filmmaking and direction as an independent creative.
Known for blending sharp advertising insight with storytelling craft, Ramaswamy has been instrumental in shaping The Script Room into a creative hub that delivered campaigns, branded content, and original storytelling formats. Over the years, the company collaborated with agencies, directors, and a wide network of writers, while also experimenting with formats such as short films and web series.
Sharing his thoughts on the transition, Ramaswamy indicated that the move is driven by a desire to focus and explore stories he has been developing over time. While he acknowledged the unconventional nature of stepping away from one’s own venture, he also framed it as a necessary leap toward clarity and creative pursuit.
Importantly, The Script Room will continue its operations with its current team and leadership, with Ramaswamy expressing confidence in the group that helped build the company’s identity. The studio, he noted, remains well-positioned to evolve further with fresh talent and ideas.
His exit also reflects a wider industry trend, where experienced advertising professionals are increasingly transitioning into independent filmmaking, tapping into the growing opportunities across digital and long-form content platforms.
As Ramaswamy steps into this new phase, the move underscores a familiar creative instinct, sometimes, the boldest ideas begin with a clean break.
