The Accidental Prime Minister will need NOC from Manmohan Singh and

Now, the next we hear is the Central Board of Film Certification Chief Pahlaj Nihalani has asked the makers to get a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the former Prime Minister himself and Congress President Sonia Gandhi for film certification while adding that he is happy to see Anupam Kher as Manmohan Singh in the film.

The CBFC Chief has apparently warned the makers to abide by the guidelines regarding all films based on real-life characters.

"The makers of 'The Accidental Prime Minister', producer Sunil Bohra, would have to get an NOC from Manmohan Singhji, Sonia Gandhiji and all the other real-life politicians who are part of the narrative. This rule applies without fail. There are no exceptions," Nihalani told a leading news agency.

"And although my current tenure as the CBFC chairperson ends in January 2018 and this film will come up for censorship after that, I am sure the guidelines regarding biopics would remain unchanged," he said.

"Anupam Kher was himself the CBFC chairperson not too long so. Ashoke Pandit who considers himself a part of the CBFC is also a part of the film on Manmohan Singhji. And Hansal Mehta who is writing the film, claims to be a victim of the censorship guidelines every time his film is on release. I can't imagine how these people cannot be aware of the NOC required for censor clearance of films based on real-life figures," Nihalani added.

While talking about Anupam Kher playing the role of Singh, Nihalani said, "He's such a versatile actor. At the age of 28, he had played an old man so brilliantly in 'Saaransh'. I am sure he will do full justice to Manmohan Singhji's character, though it would have to be more expressions than words. As we all know, Manmohan Singhji hardly speaks. I am sure the dialogue writer would not have much to contribute to the character."

The Accidental Prime Minister is an adaptation of Sanjay Baru's book "The Accidental Prime Minister: The Making and Unmaking of Manmohan Singh" and is slated to release in 2018.