Regional Censor Officer K Nagaraj says he took the decision to get an expert opinion on Thamassu due to what was perceived to be provocative dialogues. "After going through the script they had submitted and the dialogues in the trailers that was sent for clearance, it was felt that an expert's opinion should be taken for this film. The film is about communal violence and we have to be careful and make sure it does not create any law and order problem. The Censor members are not expert in all fields and we invited ADGP Infant to be our expert associate. However, he only gives his opinion and will not be responsible for clearing the film. The expert will have no voting right nor his comments be recorded. He cannot suggest cuts or veto the film. He only gives his expert opinion if the film will create any problem due to its theme and dilogues. This is the first film in my tenure for which an expert's opinion has been sought," Nagaraj said.

When asked if the move was prompted by the trouble faced by the recent film Shankar IPS which got a stay from the court after advocates opposed it, Nagaraj said, "In that case people found it objectionable after the censor board had cleared the film. So there can always be differences of opinion. Our guidelines gives us the power to get an expert to watch the film. But it is left to discretion as we cannot do it for each and every film."

Speaking to Chitraloka, Censor Officer K Nagaraj clarified that the decision to take the police's expert opinion on Thamassu was his initiative. It was not suggested by Sharmila Tagore, he said.