Don't censor A-rated movies: Change.org petition

With a message echoing that Indian cinemagoers can handle mature content and a plea to release A-rated movies without any cuts, a petition has been started by Change.org, a technology platform, to submit before the Shyam Benegal Committee on censorship.

Vignesh Vellore, the co-founder of Bengaluru-based digital news platform - The News Minute, has started a petition after a disappointing experience with plenty of "beeps" in an A-rated superhero movie "Deadpool", read a statement.

Vignesh's petition has already been signed by 7,500 people. It is addressed to Benegal and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), with a demand - "Don't censor A-rated movies. They should be released without cuts."

The petition reads: "I want to show him that Indians are sick of mindless and needless censorship. Sign my petition and ask your friends to do the same. Because of this mindless censorship, it's becoming harder and harder to watch movies in the theatre. We are not five-year olds, we are adults who can handle mature content. A movie will not ruin our morals or our culture. But censorship will ruin our country."

Ryan Reynolds-starrer "Deadpool" with its action, blood and twisted sense of humour has registered good business at the Indian box office despite all the beeps. It has minted over Rs.22 crore in India since its release.

The acclaimed filmmaker Benegal is heading a committee to recommend a holistic framework for the country's film censor board and to suggest changes in the Cinematograph Act so that artistic creativity and freedom are not curtailed. And the last date for submission of public comments is February 25.