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Chennai, Aug 28 (IANS) The Madras High Court on Thursday dismissed an appeal by a television network challenging the ‘A’ certificate granted to superstar Rajinikanth’s latest release Coolie, ruling that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had acted within its mandate in restricting the film’s viewing to adults.

Justice T.V. Thamilselvi, hearing the civil miscellaneous appeal, held that the Board’s decision was based on established guidelines and that the production house had no grounds to contest it after accepting the certificate and releasing the film.

The appellant had sought a U/A certificate, contending that the Board’s classification unfairly barred viewers under 18.

The CBFC defended its decision, pointing to provisions under Section 58(2) of the Cinematograph Act, which empower the Centre to issue directives guiding the certification process.

Citing the 1991 guidelines, the Board said it was required to ensure that cinema remained responsible to societal values, avoided glorification of violence and anti-social behaviour, and provided clean and healthy entertainment.

A five-member examining committee and a 10-member revising committee, both functioning independently, unanimously agreed that Coolie contained extensive violence, sustained depictions of smoking and alcohol consumption, and occasional abusive language, warranting only an ‘A’ certificate.

The revising committee was headed by a veteran filmmaker with multiple national and state awards to his credit.

“After a detailed viewing and discussion, the committee concluded that the film could not be considered fit for children,” Additional Solicitor General A.R.L. Sundaresan told the court.

He added that the producers were even offered the option of securing a U/A certificate by trimming certain violent and objectionable scenes, but they declined to make cuts.

The ASG further argued that the television network had already accepted the CBFC’s ruling and released the film on August 14, 2025, before belatedly approaching the court.

Given this conduct, the judge found no merit in the appeal and upheld the ‘A’ certificate. With the verdict, the Rajinikanth-starrer will continue to remain restricted to adult audiences in theatres across the country.

–IANS

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Hyderabad, July 31 (IANS) AICC in-charge for Telangana, Meenakshi Natrajan, on Thursday sought people’s support for 42 per cent reservation to Backward Classes.

She urged people to join hands with the Congress in exerting pressure on the Centre to approve two Bills passed by the Telangana Assembly for 42 per cent reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) in education, employment and local bodies.

She was addressing the Janahita Padyatra launched by the party to reach out to people ahead of the upcoming local body elections.

Meenakshi Natrjan, along with Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Mahesh Kumar Goud, launched the padyatra in Pargi constituency in Vikarabad district.

The AICC in-charge said the Congress party was fighting for social justice. She said that for any movement to become it needs people’s support.

She said the Congress party’s central leadership and the state leaders were all fighting for the rights of BCs. She announced that on August 6, there will be a dharna outside the Parliament to demand 42 per cent BC reservation.

He said Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has vowed to secure BC reservations by exerting pressure on the BJP government at the Centre. As part of these efforts, they will be in Delhi from August 5 to August 7.

Alleging the Centre is deceiving BCs on the issue of reservation, he said there would be a huge dharna at Jantar Mantar on August 6.

Mahesh Kumar Goud said that Congress is a party which always remains in the midst of people.

“Some people are questioning the need for Padyatra when Congress is already in power in the state. Whether Congress is in power or not, it always remains among the people. From Mahatma Gandhi to Rahul Gandhi, the Congress leaders have undertaken padyatras to personally understand the conditions in the country and the hardships of the people,” he said.

The TPCC chief said Revanth Reddy became Chief Minister only after numerous struggles, movements, and yatras. He said padyatras help understand the ground situation and what the people want.

Mahesh Kumar Goud ridiculed BRS leader K. Kavitha for her claims that BCs were getting reservations because of her fight. He asked what Kavitha did when there was not a single woman minister in the BRS Cabinet from 2014 to 2018.

Praising Chief Minister, the TPCC chief said, despite belonging to the Reddy community, he was fighting for the rights of BCs.

Minister for Industries and Information Technology D. Sridhar Babu said that this padyatra is not for elections, but it is aimed at connecting with people.

The first phase of Padyatra will continue till August 4. It will resume after the return of Congress leaders from Delhi.

During the padyatra, the Congress leaders will stay in villages, listen to locals and actively engage in community service named Shramadanam.

The campaign will cover one constituency in each of the six erstwhile districts in the first phase. Each day will feature a 10-kilometre padayatra starting at 5 p.m., followed by an overnight stay in the village.

There will be Shramadanam the next day till 11 a.m., followed by an interaction with local Congress leaders and elected representatives at 3 p.m.

Ministers, MPs, MLAs, MLCs and senior district leaders will participate in the programme.

–IANS

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