'The Jungle Book' awarded U/A certificate; Censor Board chief Pahlaj Nihalani says 3D effects could startle audience

British author Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book" stories have been re-imagined by Jon Favreau into a fantasy-adventure film by the same name. Scheduled for an April 8 release, the film has been awarded a U/A certificate (in India) by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

This means, children are eligible for viewing only if accompanied by adults. Censor Board chief Pahlaj Nihalani has an explanation why "The Jungle Book" got a U/A certification. He told DNA that it isn't always about the story, the presentation is also taken into account. He added that the 3D effects are scary enough to startle the audience.

"It's not just the story that determines certification. It's the overall presentation, the packaging and most important of all, the visual affects used to tell the story. In Jungle Book the jungle animals jumping at the audience in 3D is startling. It's up to parents to decide how much of these effects are suited for their children," he further elaborated.

Justifying his point, he said the board had passed "Kapoor and Sons" with U/A certificate, even then they had received "objection to kids being allowed into the film."

Written by Justin Marks and produced by Walt Disney, "The Jungle Book" follows the story of orphaned boy Mowgli (Neel Sethi) who is left by himself in a cave. Later, a wise panther Bagheera and a pack of wolves rescue and raise him. He is up against Shere Khan, who wants to avenge the wrong done to him by Mowgli's father.

Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong'o and Scarlett Johansson have lent their voices for Baloo, Bagheera, Shere Khan, Raksha and Kaa, respectively.