Govt working on changing law on censor board, says Venkaiah Naidu

The I&B Minister is currently examining recommendations made by Justice Mudgal and Benegal committees

Government plans to make changes in the six-decade-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 cannot give a timeline regarding bringing them up at the Parliament.

"Justice (Mukul) Mudgal committee and (Shyam) Benegal committee have made some important recommendations. I am examining them. At the end of the day, you have to implement those. I may have to make some changes in the law also. I am moving in that direction.

"I can't give you any time frame because of the Winter session. I don't think I will be able to complete this. My efforts will certainly be to take up the new legislation in the session thereafter," he told PTI.

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.

"I told him (Secretary of the Censor Board) to study (the recommendations) and get back. Government is open to making necessary changes... Cinematograph Act came in 1952 and film certification has to be done under that Act."

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.

Speaking in favour of a collaborative approach, Naidu said futher, "Film industry is all about creative people and film production has to follow (a) certain grammar. Certification procedures should take into account this grammar of cinema and its nuances. Both the board, 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."

He also asked conficting groups to approach the apellate authority to settle disputes.

"We are examining the deficiencies in the current process of film certification and we will certainly endeavor to ensure that there are no controversies," added the I&B minister.

Responding to censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani's complaints of the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) overturning a majority of the board's decisions, Naidu said it was only natural because the higher authority has been provided for the purpose.

He says that the Cinematography Act, 1952 has provisions stating 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.

"Now somebody can say you should not have any of these powers. It is a free India... Dissent is acceptable, disintegration is not acceptable. There has to be some regulation everywhere but it should not be strangulation; to kill the creative ideas of the artist or the writer."

Naidu says there is a need to strike a balance when it comes to film certification and that's what the government is trying to do.

Film industry and Pahlaj Nihalani have been at loggerheads since the Nihalani's appointment as the censor board's head in January 2015.

The CBFC and industry have previously locked horns over the censorship of "Udta Punjab", "Aligarh" and "Jai Gangajal". 

Board chief Nihalani was also criticised for shortening the length of a kissing scene in a James Bond movie "Spectre" last year.