Un-freedom  is a 2014 Indian drama film by Raj Amit Kumar, which was released in North America on 29 May 2015. In India, the film was refused certification by the Examining Committee of CBFC and Subsequently the authorities completely banned the film regardless of cuts, robbing the film of any opportunity of a public release in India.

Bollywood is a sobriquet of Hindi Cinema. It represents innumerable types of cinemas. Every year, a lot of films get released. Some are hits, some are flops and some give average business. There is another category which is deliberately kept out of general public’s league. This category includes films made on subjects which are bold. Censor board may ban these kinds of film but viewers never miss a chance to deem it!

Recently, “Un-Freedom” joined the long list of films which are banned in India. It is a modern-day thriller which talks about a lesbian love story entangled within an Islamic terrorism-related angle. It received backlash and appreciation in equal amounts. It is balanced precariously on the twin pillars of female sexuality and male sadism. Raj Amit Kumar’s “Un-freedom” conjures a pandemonium of religious violence and rampant homophobia.

Censor board banned this film stating that it might create riots between Hindu and Muslims as well as it might ignite unnatural passion. Banning such a film is like snatching human rights. We have a right to express our thoughts and views. It will also lead to tyranny and hypocrisy. The structure of the film can be a bit tough to follow as a viewer since there are two seemingly unrelated stories, along with the corresponding flashbacks for character perspective. One story follows an angry idealist has he accepts his assignment for terrorism and travels from Pakistan to New York City. Mohammed Husain’s (played by Bhanu Uday) mission is to coerce (a word much too nice for his actions) pacifist Muslim scholar Fareed Rahmani (Victor Banjeree) into admitting on video that he is a fraud and not a true Muslim. The other story has Leela Singh (Preeti Gupta) as a frustrated lesbian woman in New Delhi who has refused ten marriages arranged by her devout father (Adil Hussain), and finally runs away to meet her choice of lover … artist Sakhi (Bhavani Lee).

A running theme for both story lines, as well as the numerous sub-plots, is specifically stated as “It’s the choice we make when we are most cornered in life that define us”.

Banning such an act which makes us question ourselves our rights and choices we make and the reaction of others regarding our choices.