The letter, reviewed by dna, stated that the recommendation of chopping off CBFC's censorship powers – sanctioned under section 4(1)(iv) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 – has been supported by only six parties of 23 from whom inputs were "supposedly" taken.
The Shyam Benegal committee recommendations regarding the revamp of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has not gone down well with its chief Pahlaj Nihalani.
In a letter to Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu, Nihalani has raised strong objections to the recommendations and urged the ministry to exercise due care before amending the existing Cinematograph Act, even as the ministry is mulling over bringing out a fresh Act, based on the recommendations.
The letter, reviewed by dna, stated that the recommendation of chopping off CBFC's censorship powers – sanctioned under section 4(1)(iv) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 – has been supported by only six parties of 23 from whom inputs were "supposedly" taken.
The letter stated that all the six parties were film-makers' associations, including Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association, Film & Television Producers Guild of India Limited, Sony Pictures Network, Indian Broadcasting Federation, Motion Pictures Association and Federation of Film Societies of India. It further stated that these filmmakers have deliberately projected CBFC as a "scissor-happy" organisation.
Nihalani alleged that a handful of film-makers were trying to equate artistic expression with "vulgar language, anti-social activities and perverted situations", which has resulted in an imposition of western culture against India's traditional culture and an artificial controversy.
The letter further stated that the Benegal committee was unaware of this ground reality and did not take any inputs from the CBFC about the nature of films that appear for certification.
The CBFC chief has, however, supported that the number of film certification rating categories should be increased and said he had earlier suggested the same to the ministry. He also complained that the Benegal committee did not consider the issue of religious sensibilities in films and its recommendations suggested that CBFC officers be made mere clerks, with their only job being scheduling of committee meetings, collecting recommendations and issuing certificates.
Nihalani also alleged that the Benegal committee's bias was evident, with its recommendation on the criteria for selection of the advisory panel members. The committee has ensured that at least 75 per cent of the advisory panel members are from the film industry, who would have a huge influence on the government body, the letter stated.
Talking to dna, a top I&B ministry official said a decision over amendments in the Cinematograph Act would be taken only after a meeting with all stakeholders on October 14.
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