INKLAB has been denied a release certificate by the censor board, which has demanded major cuts after which the movie will be entitled for an Adults only certificate. Furious with the Censor Board’s decision, Dr. Chhabra has made the movie public on YouTube. In the interview Dr. Chhabra speaks against the objections raised by the Censor Board.

With the Censor Board asking for nine cuts in your film, what’s the status of your film as far as a wider release is concerned?

Hell with censors, film is avilable online for audience to watch for free. Being kicked out of some good film festivals is a setback for sure, but then those film festivals are the part of the very system of which we are talking about in the film. We are preparing a court case, and we have dozens of Supreme Court rulings that would stand by us and we are sure the CBFC will bite the dust.

Largely, the Censor Board has cited obscenity, and being anti-national as the major reasons for the nine cuts. Do you think it’s a fair call on their behalf?

Well, their main objections centre around threat to security of state and anti-national sentiments. Film is a threat to corrupt government for sure because but not nation! Nation is not just the state but the people. And this is a pro-people film.

What obscenity are we talking about? These words are used in every nook and corner of the country, and the style of the film is cinema verite... so it has to be truthful to its content, and moreover I have voluntary asked for an Adults certificate only due to the strong language. But these people at CBFC have double standards, so they pass Bose DK because it comes from a bigger banner.

There is an unwritten aggression in the film, which is balanced by the protagonist’s friend’s jocular understanding. With Bhagat Singh’s bomb and leaflet throwing act in the background, and his famous line that it’s important to wake the deaf with noise, have you not run the risk of being provocative in terms of inciting ‘action’?   

The film startes with a label: “Issued in Public Unrest”. I think the citizinery of our conuntry has rested a lot and also have done numerous things in ‘Public interest’. Unfortunately, the definition of ‘public’ has remained very narrow and people have become so accustomed to their ‘comfort bubbles’ that public interest to them is just their own comfort. This film is about piecrcing that bubble. You call it agression I call it zeal to attain larger public interest.

The film Inklab is metaphorical and literal at the same time, and leaves the viewer unsure about the intention of the protagonist in the film. Was this is a conscious decision on your part?

InkLab is Lab of thoughts. Usually, we stick to one ideology and die with that without giving a chance to another. Here the idea is to inculcate scientific temper and question and experiment with ideas before you actually apply them…in the InkLab. This is not a typical masala film that will at the happy end leave you with all the ends connected. This film is not about the destination...but the journey. Those who don’t enjoy their journey will never connect with this film. Fortunately, a huge number of youngsters have connected to the core of the film.

While you were scripting and filming, did the thought enter your mind that what will the censor board say about some of the scenes?

Hell with censors. They are just another arm of the same corrupt system and their aim is to gag any voices of dissent that can cause any harm to their corrupt masters. They are loyal dogs to their masters.

Till today, there is criticism that the post-Emergency period did not result in artistic and cultural output. Now when there is an almost immediate reaction to history being unfolded it is considered reactionary. In this context do you think that CBFC’s recommended nine cuts are not in tune with reality?

Reaction is controlled by the action; my film is not a reaction but a response. Response comes with responsibility and InkLab is a responsible film. The cuts are actually arbitrary and they have not even followed the Cinematographic Act in its words and spirits. CBFC will soon get its due.

Inklab discusses the nation’s problems at the level of symptoms, while encouraging to look at challenges faced at the deepest level. But there are no solutions offered by the protagonist. Is this is fair criticism of the movie?I

There is no single solution to any problem. These are complex problems, why should one look at a filmmaker to offer soultions? This is not a Diarrheoa – O.R.S. public service ad. Essential to finding out solutions is first to acknoweldge the problem and to debate on it. For many in the audience this film does this. However, the generic solution of the problems are discussed in the film, not all capture it. Each film has its audeicne.

What kind of still and video equipment did you use to shoot Inklab?

The film tries to show casual captures and unplanned shoot over a year or so, so we used different cameras to give ununiform look. We used a Consumer still camera, Mini DV handycam, HD handycam, FlipVideo Mino HD.

How much of your life and views is reflected in the film?

Film is based upon my personal experiences and learnings and interactions and discussions with lot many common people about the issues of much concern in today’s times.

However, I can’t say that the protagonist reflects my voice.. because many people after watching have said that thet feel that they themselves are the protagonist of the film.. so the film reflects not only my views but of numerous people who feel the same.

How would you describe Dr. Gaurav Chhabra as a person?

Under construction. InkLab is my trailor, more to come.