Here are from ‘Business Woman’ to ‘Business Person’: CBFC Modify Aamir Khan’s Latest Film Dialogue
In a step that has drawn admiration and criticism in equal measures, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has altered a line in Aamir Khan’s upcoming film, substituting “business woman” with “business person.” Although seemingly a small change, it has bred a broader debate on gender sensitivity, representation, and censorship in Indian films.
A Question of Inclusivity or Erasure?
Defenders of the CBFC action argue that the clause is a step in the direction of promoting gender-neutral use, towards a society more inclusive in which male-bias narratives have traditionally dominated. “Business person” is one that, theoretically, gets away from gender, pointing towards a modern, equal society in which one gets defined by profession, not gender.
But to others, it doesn’t. They believe that the elimination of “business woman” is erasing decades of women’s fight for visibility in leadership roles. “When women are finally being acknowledged in traditionally masculine environments, why redefine their identity again?” asked a women’s rights activist on X (formerly Twitter). To them, it is not about inclusion so much as about silencing gender-specific recognition.
Bollywood’s Tightrope Walk
This is not the first time the CBFC has landed in trouble with its cuts. Removing kissing scenes and silencing words that are “politically sensitive” have been charges routinely leveled against the board. Here, irony bites hardAamir Khan, who has earned a reputation for championing socially relevant cinema, now has his own film embroiled in a controversy it may have attempted to skirt.
The Bigger Picture
As Indian film evolves, new narratives and old gatekeepers’ push and pull continue. The event of its release brings to the fore a fundamental question: Should the film drive social change, or adapt to institutional standards of “acceptable” messaging?
Conclusion: Even if the CBFC’s action was in good faith, it is interesting that it questions gender representation in media. It’s not exclusionary-it’s empowering to call women “business women.” If equality is desired, erasure is not the way; acceptance is.
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