CBFC can issue multiple certificates for a movie: I&B tells HC

The Centre today told the Delhi High Court that it can issue multiple "certifications" with respect to various versions of a film.
In its affidavit filed before a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice R S Endlaw, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also said that the certificate is issued on the content as and when it is changed while being shown on TV channels.
The ministry made the submission in its reply to a PIL, opposing issuance of universal certificates to an adult movie after deletion of some contents.
"Provision of the Cinematograph Act and Rules clearley provide for multiple certifications being issued with respect to various versions of one particular film.

"Under the Cinematograph Act, the certification is done of the content and when there is change in content, recertification is required and is done," the ministry said.
It further said that Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) "has absolute power to certify films and it is also a competent authority to entertain applications seeking certificate of films which are altered by way of deletion/addition of certain scenes/dialogues."

The Centre's reply came on a PIL against the scandalous practice of conversion of 'A' films into 'U/A' and 'U' to enable their telecast on TV channels.
The plea was filed by Edara Gopi Chand, Vice-President, Media Watch-India through advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal.

The petitioner rued that children and adolescents are exposed to 'adult' film material like drug use, adultery, extramarital affairs, ribald comedy, intimate scenes of romance and sexuality, 'item songs' with vulgar lyrics and dance sequences, scenes involving rape and other heinous acts against women, films with extreme violence, films of horror and thriller genres etc.
"The adverse impact of such content on the impressionable minds of children and adolescents is well-established by various research studies at national and international levels. By such exposure, the due right of minors to be protected from harmful/age-inappropriate media content is being violated," the plea said.