2 hrs ago
India Reconstitutes Film Certification Board With 18-Member Panel
India has chosen 18 people for a new film-certification board.
This board checks films before they can be released.
The members will serve for up to three years.
Several actors, a filmmaker and musician Ricky Kej are included.
The change comes after arguments and delays over some recent films.
The makers of Satluj said the board asked for 127 cuts.
The film later appeared on ZEE5 without cuts but was removed in India within 48 hours.
The board’s legal job has not changed, but the people doing it have changed.
The government has reconstituted India’s Central Board of Film Certification with 18 members for three years.
The new board includes actors Manoj Joshi, Suniel Shetty, Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi and Prosenjit Chatterjee.
Filmmaker Priyadarshan and Grammy-winner Ricky Kej are also among the appointed members.
The overhaul follows prolonged certification disputes involving Satluj, Welcome To The Jungle and Jana Nayagan.
The board’s statutory role remains unchanged under the Cinematograph Act and 2024 certification rules.
- Who
- The Indian government appointed an 18-member Central Board of Film Certification, including actors, filmmaker Priyadarshan and musician Ricky Kej.
- What
- The government reconstituted the film-certification board for a three-year term.
- Where
- The board operates in India; Satluj was later released on ZEE5 and removed from the platform in India.
- When
- The new board takes effect immediately and serves for three years or until further orders, whichever comes earlier.
- Why
- The reconstitution had been pending because some previous members were no longer active and some terms had ended.
Filmmakers and Audiences
Certification Board and Government
Cuts and delays
Filmmakers and Audiences
Satluj’s makers alleged that the board sought 127 cuts, and the film remained in the certification process for nearly three years. Other certification disputes also caused delays and legal proceedings.
Certification Board and Government
The government says the board continues to operate under the Cinematograph Act and the 2024 certification rules, with the reconstitution addressing an overdue change in membership.
What the overhaul changes
Filmmakers and Audiences
The controversies have made certification decisions a major concern for filmmakers and audiences because they can affect cuts, release timing and availability.
Certification Board and Government
The reconstitution primarily changes the people serving on the board; its statutory role and legal framework remain unchanged.
Key facts
- Board
- Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)
- New membership
- 18 members
- Term
- Three years or until further orders
- Previous composition
- The board was last reconstituted in 2017 with 12 members
- Notable members
- Manoj Joshi, Suniel Shetty, Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Priyadarshan and Ricky Kej
- Legal framework
- Cinematograph Act, 1952, and Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024
- Recent controversy
- Satluj’s makers alleged that the CBFC sought 127 cuts; the film was later released without cuts on ZEE5 before being removed in India
Quotes
Information and Broadcasting Ministry official
A ministry official explaining why the CBFC reconstitution was delayed
“The reconstitution had been pending for some time, with some members of the previous board no longer active and the terms of some others having passed away.”
NDTV
Sources
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