BOMBAY TIMES (September 1, 2019)

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) now has a new logo and certificate design, which were unveiled at an event held in Mumbai yesterday. CBFC chairperson Prasoon Joshi along with Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Prakash Javadekar, Secretary of I&B, Amit Khare and eminent members of the film fraternity were present at the interactive session.

Talking about the new logo and certificate design, Joshi said, “I believe that the design should reflect the contemporary digital world and leverage the ease that technology has brought in our work processes. The design change is not cosmetic; it is extremely functional and underlines CBFC’s positive valueadded approach.”

While addressing the members of the film fraternity and the media, he highlighted initiatives that the CBFC has undertaken for the industry in the last few years. These include transparent and smooth functioning, and simplification of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) issues, among others. Joshi added that he believes that rather than confrontation and controversy, a more positive approach of “dialogue and discussion” should be practised. He also lauded the efforts of the CBFC members who have been instrumental in taking this forward. The Board comprises Gautami Tadimalla, Vani Tripathi Tikoo, T S Nagabharana, Narendra Kohli, Mihir Butia, Waman Kendre, Vidya Balan, Jeevitaa Shekhar, Vivek Agnihotri, Neil Herbert Nongkynrih, Ramesh Patange and Naresh Chandra Lal.

Regional officer Tushar Karmakar, too, presented the new approach of the CBFC for making the film certification process smooth and transparent.
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Prakash Javadekar said the Cinematograph Act will be amended in November
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 1, 2019)

 Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar and Central Board of Film Certification chief Prasoon Joshi unveiled the CBFC’s latest certificate design and logo in Mumbai on Saturday. Joshi told reporters that the certificate’s design is in sync with the digital world and is significantly more interactive.

Meanwhile, during his address, Javadekar said the controversial Cinematograph Act will be amended to crackdown on piracy by November. The1952 law, has been criticized for being outdated. “The changes in the CBFC are part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Digital India,” Javadekar said. The minister also invited suggestions for certification of online content.

The board said certificates of all films released since1952 have been digitized and will be available on the CBFC website. The new certificate highlights the rating granted to the film in yellow and includes a QR Code that producers can scan to access data related to the film.

Renowned film industry personalities Vidya Balan, Kangana Ranaut, Sajid Naidadwala, Ramesh Taurani, Madhur Bhandarkar, Satish Kaushik and Vidhu Vinod Chopra were among those present at the event.

Joshi said he has prioritized streamlining the board’s functioning during his stint as its chief. “We work extra hours so that films do not suffer,” Joshi said. “In the last two years, the CBFC has become smoother, faster and more importantly, transparent.”

The CBFC chief said that people should be educated about what the CBFC ratings mean. “Film certification is important,” Joshi said.

On January1, 2016, a committee led by filmmaker Shyam Benegal was formed to lay down norms for film certification that incorporate the best practices from around the world.

Not much has changed in the guidelines of film certification since then. “We have got a lot of suggestions and we will soon amalgamate all of them and then work on the solution,” Javadekar said when asked to comment on the matter.