The formation of a panel by the information and broadcasting ministry that will look into a possible revamp of the Central Board of Film Certification, has been welcomed by members of the board themselves.
Eminent sociologist Nandini Sarzdesai, a censor board member, was among those who felt that the institution of the committee, to be headed by veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal, spelt good news.
“It is a very positive step. Mr Benegal is a very enlightened director. He is liberal in his views, so hopefully the changes (that he will suggest) will be for the better,” Ms Sardesai said.
Apart from Mr Benegal, filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, adman Piyush Pandey, film critic Bhawana Somaaya and the managing director of National Film Development Corporation Nina Lath Gupta and joint secretary (films) Sanjay Murthy are also part of the committee. The panel is expected to submit its report over the next two months.
Another board member, filmmaker Ashoke Pandit was less restrained in his support for the move. Calling the committee “a great New Year gift from Mr Jaitley to the film industry”, Mr Pandit said a lot of positive changes were expected from Mr Mehra, Mr Benegal and Mr Pandey. “Shyam Benegal is one of the most respected figures in the film industry and he knows what freedom means to a filmmaker. The entire perception about the CBFC should change now,” Mr Pandit said.
He added that one of the major areas that needed to be looked into, was why the CBFC was still functioning under rules passed in 1952. “We were passing through a dark tunnel that was not coming to an end, this is a confidence-building move and we finally see a ray of light. (Current chairperson) Mr Pahlaj Nihalani is also from the industry, we were glad when he was appointed. But he couldn’t digest (sic) the power and started behaving like a railway babu,” he said.
The revamp committee’s head Mr Benegal, however, has been more cautious in his comments so far.
In an interview with a television channel, Mr Benegal said that the ministry gave him a call to say that they were “creating a committee to look into the matters of film certification and wanted me to be a member. I said yes”.
He added that while he did not have further comments on what the committee hoped to achieve, he did believe that “nothing can be achieved by applying a pair of scissors to a film”. “(We) should see whether the guidelines are adequate or they need a re-look,” Mr Benegal said.
