advertisement
According to the amendments proposed to the Cinematograph Act, the Union government can direct the CBFC to re-examine any film which has been certified for public exhibition citing a violation of Section 5B(1) of the Act.
A group of young filmmakers, researchers, technicians, and others, have reportedly issued an appeal to the Ministry of I&B (Information and Broadcasting), regarding the amendment which states that the move will give the Central Government 'supreme power over cinema exhibition' which could endanger the freedom of expression, reported National Herald.
Filmmakers Zoya Akhtar, Neeraj Ghaywan, Dibakar Banerjee, Anamika Haksar, Farhan Akhtar, Anurag Kashyap, actors Shabana Azmi and Rohini Hattangadi are among the signatories.
"As another blow to the film fraternity, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has proposed new amendments to the Cinematograph Act under which the Central Government would have the power to revoke or recall certification of films which have already been cleared by the Censor Board," the appeal reads.
The statement added, “The proposal to amend the Cinematograph Act comes two months after the Centre dissolved the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) in April 2021. Now, filmmakers unhappy with the decision of the Censor Board are left with no option but to appeal in the High Courts, bearing legal cost of representation and financial loss due to potential delays in film releases until the overburdened judicial system takes up the matter."
They suggested that the role of the Central Board of Film Cetification (CBFC) be clearly defined in the Act as the body which certifies content for exhibition, instead of just a censoring body.
They added that the amendments to the Cinematograph Act be revoked, claiming that the suggestions don't address the concern of piracy either.
Referring to the penal provision suggested for piracy, the appeal reads, "If introduced, sufficient exceptions on fair use, de minimis use and derivative work specific to films must be created. Systemic solutions to genuinely counter piracy must be introduced."
The appeal also urged that the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) be reinstated.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)