The start of this year brings a sliver of hope for the movie industry and connoisseurs of cinema, as the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has set up a committee to review the functioning of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The five-member committee will be headed by the 81-year-old acclaimed filmmaker and Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner Shyam Benegal, and comprises of names like filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, ad-man Piyush Pandey among others. Over the next two months, the new team will submit their suggestions to the Ministry. The current Chairman of CBFC, Pahlaj Nihalani says he was not informed about the new committee. “I have no role in that. Even I had conveyed my point of view on certification and suggested a few changes on the basis of what today's generation and makers want. People are not comfortable with their freedom of speech being curtailed. I welcome this committee for the betterment of the industry. I want things to go in the favour of the film industry and nothing else. It's in the interest of the people making movies and the audience watching the films,“ he says.

Benegal steered away from commenting on Nihalani who has been facing the ire of the film industry and media for his redundant and sanskari views on censorship. Benegal said that the revising panel is independent of the infighting within CBFC or the general feeling of anger towards its Chairman. “Nothing has been conveyed to me in writing by the Ministry. However, they have asked me if I am ready to be a part of the restructuring committee of CBFC, to which I have agreed.“

A lot of hope is pinned on this positive move made by the ministry, and it comes as a relief to filmmakers who are enraged about their creative expression being curbed. There is also speculation about Nihalani resigning from his position, but when asked, he shot back saying, “You want me to resign? Public ke kehne pe resign karoon? Why should I? The government has given me this honour, I will continue my duty unless they don't inform me about anything. If the government says I am not to be there, I will not be there.“

As he takes on this new challenge Benegal says, “It is important to keep the approach of the Board in sync with the changing sensibilities of people. Cinema is an artistic expression and should be understood holistically with a free mind." Member of the newly formed committee, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra did not want to comment on it without more information on what the committee's plan of action will be. While there is a feeling of hope within the industry, filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has a different point of view. “The need of a separate panel is beyond my understanding! What new change will Mr Benegal suggest that hasn't been talked about before? Since many years we have been talking about introducing the American grading system, but it is all restricted to talks. We need to address the bigger issue here.“

The refreshing part of this change is that Benegal seems to be inclined to bring in a certain sensibility, which adapts to today's society and its evolving views, ideas and thought process. “The entire process of filmmaking is a difficult one. The unnecessary cuts that are imposed on films cannot achieve anything. Though it won't be an easy process to undo what is being done now, we will have to sit and understand the films. This requires consulting sociologists to get an overview of the film. It will take some time for us to understand as well.“

Nihalani has faced criticism within the Board for his authoritarian ways of functioning. Ashoke Pandit (member of CBFC) is hopeful that things will change for the better. “The CBFC can finally win back its lost dignity. Our debate within the Board was that since everything is available a click away, why be so prudish about things. We know for a fact that Shyamji will involve other seasoned filmmakers and thinkers for a discussion before he recommends anything, but under Nihalani, it was a one-man show,“ says Pandit. When asked about Nihalani's role being cut in the Board, now that a team of eminent directors will restructure the rules, Benegal said, “I don't think Mr Nihalani has anything to do with the Ministry's decision. Although I am not sure about his role, I would not like to comment on it now till I get a written confirmation from the Ministry .“


The truth is, that the task ahead is arduous. It needs a change at the core with much prudence and rationale. A change in systems, processes and an overall mind-shift. The film industry has issues with the CBFC's guidelines on various grounds. Bhatt says, “There is a general tendency of the CBFC to convert 'A' films into U/A. I will give you an example of the kind of confusion that exists in the system. My upcoming film has got ridiculous cuts and we've moved to the Tribunal for this. But at this moment no Tribunal exists in the system. The sitting judge has resigned and they are all functioning like a headless chicken. What can Mr Benegal change in this? The problem is way more deep-rooted than we can see on the surface.“

Talking about the grading system for censorship, director Onir (of My Brother Nikhil and I Am Fame) expresses his views strongly, “I feel that the entire grading system of films needs to be revised, because of the discrepancies in the present grading system, a lot of good films can't be shown on television. In India, we respect everyone's sentiments barring the artistes who have created it.“ On the contrary, Vishal Pandya, director of Hate Story 3, stresses on the need for censorship, “We do need a Censor Board in our country. No matter, how progressive we become, we still cringe while watching a bold scene with the family. That's how we are conditioned.“

Director Sriram Raghavan, whose violent and bold film, Badlapur had become a talking point, firmly objects disclaimers appearing at any point in the film. “There shouldn't be a disclaimer playing in the middle of the film. Yes, disclaimers are essential but in the middle of an important scene, when a disclaimer pops up, it takes away from the scene's intensity. I am hoping Mr Benegal and his committee will take these things into consideration and suggest necessary revisions for the same.“

PAHLAJ NIHALANI'S TAKE ON...
The newly formed committee
“It's a panel of improvising committee. It's like the Mudgal committee. They will collectively review the guidelines and submit the report to the government, who will decide further. When Leela Samson was the Chairman, the Mudgal committee had submitted their report in 2013, but the previous government didn't implement the changes or rectify the rules, which have become old now.

His role in the wake of this new development
One person cannot make changes. Right now I have a limited role to play. If we get new guidelines, we will act accordingly. It's not my individual decision as far as certification is concerned. It's the panel members who make a decision. If the guidelines remain the same, I cannot do much. We have to follow the rules that are provided to us.