News

I&B Ministry appoints committee headed by Shyam Benegal to revamp Censors

2 Jan 2016

2015 was a year in which many a filmmaker took objection to the rather strict censor guidelines being imposed by censor chief Phalaj Nilhani. However with the start of the New Year, the I&B Ministry has given all those who suffered under the CBFC's scissors a ray of hope, with the announcement of launching a special committee headed by the film-maker Shyam Benegal, to suggest measures to help Board members understand the nuances of film certification.

According to a press note released by the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry, a committee headed by Shri Shyam Benegal has been constituted to suggest the paradigm for ensuring such a milieu. 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 keeping in view this framework.

Apart from this, 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 / 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 / transparent user friendly services.

The other Members of the Committee include Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Piyush Pandey, Bhawana Somaaya, Nina Lath Gupta and Joint Secretary (Films) as Member Convenor.