MUMBAI MIRROR (August 22, 2015)

On Friday, the Delhi High Court stayed the television premiere of Indra Kumar's adult comedy, Grand Masti, arguing that the film was not certified for unrestricted public exhibition and cannot be televised under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act. A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath was of the prima facie view that under the Act, any movie with a 'U/A' or 'A' certification, which was not suitable for unrestricted exhibition, can't be shown on TV.

In an interim order, the court rejected the government's argument that it came with a warning before the film started, underlining the fact that the content was not suitable for children and minors and parents could change the channel. Every time a child watches TV, it might not be under parental supervision, the bench observed. The court also issued a notice to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). It was to seek their reply, by September 16, on a plea seeking quashing of the 'U/A' certification given to the movie, which earlier had 'A' certification. The petition, filed by Edara Gopichand has sought a stay on the TV telecast on the grounds that it was replete with double-meaning dialogue and objectionable content.

The petition has also directed the ministry to carry out a detailed enquiry into "irregular re-certification" by the CBFC. "The said film is scheduled for telecast on television and if the same happens, it will result in the gross violation of provisions of Cable Network Regulation Act and also adversely affect the rights and interest of hundreds of thousands of minors in the country, especially children and adolescents," the plea asserted.