High Court
CBFC has powers to issue multiple certificates on various versions of films
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has been informed that the Central Board of Film Certification can issue multiple “certifications” with respect to various versions of a film.
In its affidavit filed before a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice R S Endlaw, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry said the certificate is issued on the content as and when it is changed while being shown on TV channels.
The submission was in reply to a public interest litigation opposing issuance of universal certificates to an adult movie after deletion of some contents. The petition was also against the practice of conversion of ‘A’ films into ‘U/A’ and ‘U’ to enable their telecast on TV channels.
“Provision of the Cinematograph Act and Rules clearly provide for multiple certifications being issued with respect to various versions of one particular film.
“Under the Cinematograph Act, the certification is done of the content and when there is change in content, recertification is required and is done,” the Ministry said.
The CBFC “has absolute power to certify films and it is also a competent authority to entertain applications seeking certificate of films which are altered by way of deletion/addition of certain scenes/dialogues.”
The plea was filed by Edara Gopi Chand, vice-president, Media Watch-India through advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal.
The petitioner said children and adolescents are exposed to ‘adult’ film material like drug use, adultery, extramarital affairs, ribald comedy, intimate scenes of romance and sexuality, ‘item songs’ with vulgar lyrics and dance sequences, scenes involving rape and other heinous acts against women, films with extreme violence, films of horror and thriller genres etc.
“The adverse impact of such content on the impressionable minds of children and adolescents is well-established by various research studies at national and international levels. By such exposure, the due right of minors to be protected from harmful/age-inappropriate media content is being violated,” the plea said.
