Anti-smoking messages shown with film scenes disturb viewing:

The Shyam Benegal-led committee constituted by the I&B ministry to examine the film certification process has said that static warnings that appear during every smoking scene in movies disturb smooth viewing.
The panel has suggested that a "meaningful static disclaimer" against smoking should be shown at the beginning of films with standard visual background approved by Health Ministry for a "minimum" time along with a matching audio.
In the second part of its report, the panel has said that warnings should be made in all Indian languages and made applicable to all Media Platforms.
As an option, producers of such films can make a short visual conveying an anti-smoking message by the same actor who is shown smoking in the film, the panel has suggested.

The committee has also suggested that the film industry should produce small films on anti-smoking theme with popular actors on their own for screening in cinemas and TV Channels. These may replace the present anti-smoking clips shown in theatres and on TV after obtaining clearance from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the panel has said.
Under the present norms, filmmakers have to carry anti- tobacco warning as a prominent static message at the bottom of the screen during the period of display of a smoking scene.

"The static warnings that appear during every smoking scene apart from the disclaimers and anti-tobacco health spots being shown mandatorily in the beginning and interval of every film, disturbs the smooth viewing of the film," the panel said in its report.

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The Benegal panel has also made recommedations regarding depiction of animals in movies aiming to make the rules simpler.
The Committee said it is of the view that there should be "licensed suppliers" of Performing Animals (PA) who are qualified to handle various animals and taking care of them as per requirement of the law. They could be hired by the Producers, it said.
The Committee suggested that as an interim measure to cut down the time consumed, a directory of "certified (approved) personnel" of Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), including veterinary personnel in different parts of the country may be published, enabling producers to intimate them the time of their shooting.

Based on the report of such certified personnel, AWBI could issue the NOC, the panel said.
It also added that there are numerous instances where animals in normal settings during course of shooting are interpreted as "performing animals" requiring an NOC from AWBI.
In order to have some clarity on this, Committee is of the view that "performing animal", in case of films may be defined as an animal which is written into the script of the movie and is required to perform an act which it would not normally do, the panel said.