Responding on the Censor Board’s latest decision of banning some objectionable words, actor Aamir Khan has said he is totally against banning any kind of material in media or films.

"I am totally against banning any kind of material. When the Information & Broadcasting minister spoke to us, he also clarified that actually the ministry has no such list of cuss words. It's a certification board and not the censor board. It was nice to hear that," Mr Khan said.

Sources said that the newly elected Censor Board chairman Pahlaj Nihalani had restored a 2003 order to ban a list of 28 objectionable or cuss words in any movies or documentaries.
Mr. Nihlani withdrew the list after the public furor.

Aamir Khan, 50, who is known for stellar roles in movies like 'Lagaan', '3 Idiots’ and ‘PK among others, opined that banning a film cannot be justified even if people don't like certain content. He referred to the 2013 Kamal Haasan movie 'Vishwaroopam' that created a controversy leading to a ban.

"I really feel ashamed that at that time I was lost in my work but as an industry that was the time we had to come together. I apologize to you (Kamal Hassan) publicly that I wasn't there at that time. I feel bad that we weren't there with you. Banning a film is not right.

"Once the film has received the certification, it is the responsibility of the state to make sure that people can watch the film without any fear," he said.

Unlike most of his peers who are driven by the box-office collections, Aamir said numbers don't matter to him and it is not a criterion to select a movie based on its potential commercial success.

"I am not someone who talks about my number. That is the last thing on my mind when I am selecting a film. The day I start selecting a film on the possible commercial success that will be the end of my creativity. I feel that commercial interest stifles growth," he added.

Inputs @ndtv, timesofindia

- Manohar