Crook – It’s Good To Be ‘A’ - Mahesh Bhatt

Vishesh Films’ ‘Crook – It’s Good To Be Bad’ is only one day behind its releasing date. The film which is releasing tomorrow (8th Oct) recently settled for an ‘A’ certificate, instead of getting a U/A. Reason; the film includes a scene where Shella Alan, the foreign actress removes her top, showing her nude back.

Producer Mahesh Bhatt was told by Censor Board that if he wanted a U/A certificate for his film, he would have to edit out that particular scene which has the topless firang actress. Alternatively, he could keep the scene and have his film get an ‘A’ certificate. Mahesh choose ‘A’. Though the director of the film, Mohit Suri, tried to convince him otherwise, Bhatt insisted that the film be released as ‘Adults Only’.

In the film, Emraan Hashmi, in a drunken state is brought to Shella's house. He wakes up in her bed, and when he comes out from the washroom he sees her changing her clothes, with her back to him.

According to sources Mahesh had questioned the Censor Board's decision to allow frontal nudity in some films that are known as Indian classics today, whereas his film shows side nudity only. However, the Censor members completely disagreed with it.

Stressing on the importance of the scene, Mohit Suri and Mukesh Bhatt had later told Mahesh Bhatt that in no way the scene should be deleted.

On the other hand, Mahesh Bhatt has no qualms over the ‘A’ certificate and said, "Its okay. I was not ready to eliminate that scene. I see nothing wrong in it. There are three reasons why I was so possessive about the scene. One, it is relevant to the film. Two, it creates a dramatic impact. Three, the audience today largely comprises of the young generation who want certain sensationalism and not the so-called purists."

The premier of ‘Crook’ took place yesterday in Dubai’s Grand Cineplex, Hotel Grand Hyatt. It was attended by Emraan Hashmi, Neha Sharma, Mohit Suri and Arjan Bajwa.