53 years later, Censor Board comes of age

Fifty-three years after the Cinematograph Act (1952), was formulated there are not less than 80 amendments being suggested to make the Act more appropriate for the 21st century. So, you are likely to see categories like, “below 13”, “between 13 and 18”, “below 21 and above 21.”

The Ministry is also studying whether films on sensitive topics like homosexuality should be classified under a special category. ‘‘We cannot ban filmmakers from making films dealing with such topics. But we need to examine whether they should be appropriately categorised,’’ said sources at the Ministry.

Also being put in place is a quicker way of obtaining certification. ‘‘The idea is to have more transparency in viewing and certifying films,’’ the sources said.

At present, an application for acquiring a certificate has to be sent to any of the nine regional offices after which it goes through an examining committee, where if consensus eludes, the film is referred to a revising committee — a process which is both time-consuming and tedious.

‘‘We will simplify the procedure with a single window clearance,’’ sources at the Ministry said. The changes will be sent across to the Law Ministry before the Cabinet takes it up.

The Cinematograph Act, however, will not tamper with rules that deal with the selection of chairperson and other members, which is the Government’s prerogative. While there was considerable debate on whether the chairperson’s tenure should be fixed and not subject to changes in the Government, the prevalent mood is one of status-quo.