The new changes

28/10/2016

Government plans to make changes in the six decades-old cinematography law to tone up the functioning of the censor board, which has been at the centre of many controversies. Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu says he is examining the recommendations made by Justice Mudgal committee and Benegal committee but right now he cannot give a timeline on bringing the measure in Parliament.
Naidu says he has even sought the opinion of board members on the recommendations of the two committees as he believes they have an insider’s perspective on the problems. Naidu, who took over the charge of the ministry about four months ago, says he is aware of the controversies surrounding the censor board and feels there should be some restraint from both the sides — Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and film industry.
Film industry is all about creative people and film production has to follow certain grammar. Certification procedures should take into account this grammar of cinema and its nuances. Both the board and producers and directors should work in a collaborative manner in the larger interest of this creative industry. Naidu says there is also a feeling that some people speak for publicity and create controversies so that their films do well at the box office.To a question that censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani complains that most of the board’s decisions are overturned by the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT), Naidu said it was only natural because the higher authority has been provided for the purpose.
He also said that the Cinematograph Act has provisions that film content should not be against interest of sovereignty, integrity and security of state. But while he respects freedom of expression, he is of the view that there should be proper regulation.
Naidu says there is a need to strike a balance when it comes film certification and that’s what the government is trying to do. Film industry and Pahlaj Nihalani have been at the loggerheads since he was appointed to head the censor board in January 2015. The CBFC and the industry locked horns over the censorship of “Udta Punjab”, “Aligarh” and “Jai Gangajal”. Nihalani was also criticised for shortening the length of a kissing scene in James Bond movie “Spectre” last year.

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