“What is the meaning of a censor certificate if the film can be reexamined on anybody’s complaint?” filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj asked on Twitter.
The actor turned politician Kamal Haasan has joined the campaign against the proposed Cinematograph Act 2021. The act apparently gives the Centre powers to override the film certification board and “re-examine” films it has cleared. It also intends to scrap the Film Certificate Appellate Tribunal, where filmmakers could appeal against the decision of the certification board. The move has upset many filmmakers, who question the fallout of the amended law.
One of most prominent actors and film-makers from south India- Kamal Haasan- took to Twitter to express his support to the campaign.
Mr Haasan said: “Cinema, media and the literati can’t afford to be the three iconic monkeys of India. Please act, voice your concern for freedom and liberty”.
Please act, voice your concern for freedom and liberty. @MIB_India#cinematographact2021 #raiseyourvoice (2/2)
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) June 28, 2021
Renowned Hindi filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj also voiced his concern on Twitter.
“What a strange proposition to amend the law on film certification. What is the meaning of a censor certificate if the film can be reexamined on anybody’s complaint? The ministry has asked the public for its opinion,” Vishal Bhardwaj said.
“I urge the Indian film fraternity and film lovers to oppose this unfair and unreasonable provision by writing an email to [email protected]
and sharing their opinion before the deadline of 2 July,” he added.
I urge the Indian film fraternity and film lovers to oppose this unfair and unreasonable provision by writing an email to [email protected]
and sharing their opinion before the deadline of 2 July. @producers_guild @DirectorsIFTDA @fwicemum— Vishal Bhardwaj (@VishalBhardwaj) June 25, 2021
The proposed amendments to the Cinematograph Act of 1952 provide “revisionary powers” to the centre and enable it to “re-examine” films that have already been cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification.
The centre, last week, had released the draft bill and sought comments from the people, which will be accepted till July 2. Reports said that the dissenting filmmakers have drafted a response.
The draft bill, according to the government notification, adds a provision to grant revisionary powers to the government on account of violation of Section 5B (1) – which deals with principles for guidance in certifying films — of the 1952 Act.
“Since the provisions of Section 5B(1) are derived from Article 19(2) of the Constitution that authorises the government to impose, reasonable restrictions on freedom of speech and expression in the interest of public order and are non-negotiable, it is also proposed in the Draft Bill to add a proviso to sub-section (1) of section 6 to the effect that on receipt of any references by the Central Government in respect of a film certified for public exhibition, on account of violation of Section 5B(1) of the Act, the Central Government may, if it considers it necessary so to do, direct the Chairman of the Board to re-examine the film,” the notification read.
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