/> Marathi filmmaker Sarad Bandsode's controversial film Mumbai Amchich has been held up by the censors....and apparently with valid reasons. It tells Marathis that outsiders particularly from UP and Bihar have no place in the city of Mumbai. And if they still choose to stay on, they do so at their own peril.

On its first screening, the censor board had found Mumbai Amchich inflammatory.

Badsode decided to take the film to court for release orders. And has apparently been told to refer the film back to the censor board.

Sharmila Tagore explains, "Let's get this straight. Somebody's film Mumbai Amchich came to us for certification. It was refused clearance by the examining committee. Then it went to the revision committee. There was a difference of opinion.

According to rules, there has to be another viewing of the film under these circumstances. Under no way where we going to certify the film without deleting the objectionable parts. We couldn't allow certain portions because they went against our guidelines. India is a democracy with a large number of states, cultures and people.

We can't allow anyone's sentiments to be hurt. Also, there is a lot of violence against a certain group of people in the film. Worse still, the violence is justified by a police officer (played by the director). How can we allow a film to say it's okay to kill?

It's totally against censor guidelines. However I was a little preoccupied, and the producer, understandably, was in a hurry. We suggested he go to the courts to quicken the processs."

According to a TV channel, the courts have passed the film.

"No," Sharmila clarifies. "As a matter of fact they're referred the film back to us to see the film within four weeks. That date expires on 15 May. We'll be seeing it around 14 May.

He can go to the higher courts thereafter. We've given our reasons in writing for rejecting the film. There's nothing personal here. Our guidelines clearly state we cannot encourage secterian ideas."

Sharmila admits she's not enamoured of the guiding principles behind Mumbai Amchich. "As a citizen of India and the chairperson of the censor board I am against any film that legitimizes hatred. There're lots of non-Maharashtrians in Mumbai and they are paying taxes like everyone else. This kind of idea is harmful to the entire social structure."

She refuses to comment on the film's political intentions. "I wouldn't comment on that because it'd reflect on my personal ideology. Of course I've my political viewpoint. But that shouldn't interfere with my duties in the censor board....Even when I view my own and my children's films I follow only the censorial guidelines."