Shyam Benegal to head committee 'revamping' Censor Board

The government on Friday constituted a committee for holistic interpretation of the provisions of the Cinematograph Act and Rules which will be headed by filmmaker Shyam Benegal.

Speaking to ANI, Benegal said that Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley asked if he was ready to be a part of committee to look into changes for Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and added that he has accepted his proposal.

The other members of the committee include Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Piyush Pandey, Bhawana Somaaya, Nina Lath Gupta and Joint Secretary (Films) as Member Convenor. The committee has been requested to submit their recommendations within two months

The recommendations of this committee are expected to provide a holistic framework and enable those tasked with the work of certification of films to discharge their responsibilities.

During their deliberations, the committee would be expected to take note of the best practices in various parts of the world, especially where the film industry is given sufficient and adequate space for creative and aesthetic expression.

The committee would recommend broad guidelines, procedures under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act and Rules for the benefit of the chairperson and other members of the Screening Committee.

The staffing pattern of CBFC would also be looked into in an effort to recommend a framework which would provide efficient and transparent user friendly services.

This move comes days after Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley said that time has come to revamp the Censor Board and it's functioning.

CBFC chairman Pahlaj Nihalani had said that he would welcome positive changes suggested by the film fraternity.

"We welcome any positive change according to film fraternity," Nihalani told ANI, when asked on proposed changes in structure and functioning of the Censor Board.

Jaitley had earlier said that he would like the Film Certification Board to be controversy-free, saying he was discussing the matter with some experts as to what should be the future role of the body.

Nihalani has been under the scanner ever since he took charge at the beginning of the year for making controversial decisions.