Reviving Cinematograph Act is the best way out

In the present case of MSG: Messenger of God, the panel felt that the film was promoting superstition, blind faith, self glory, etc and thus the four members on the panel, who saw the film objected to its release.

Since it was sent to the revising committee, the eight-member panel headed by me took an unanimous decision, again to not give the film a release for the same reasons.
Interestingly, the eight members comprised people from different sections of society – one of them is a doctor, there is a lawyer, another is a Sikh woman, so on.

And still, the decision by the reviewing committee was overruled when, within a day, a Tribunal was appointed and the decision was taken. It triggered many because never in the past a Tribunal has been set up so quickly. It was a disappointment for most of us. However, this entire issue of interference from the Ministry has been blown out-of-proportion.

Sometimes there are bound to be political pressures depending upon which party is in power. When the Congress was there, the influential members from the Party exerted pressure in certain situations. Similar is the case now. But I can’t say that there’s a diktat from the government ever, barring a few cases.

In my opinion, the best way is to work within the system. We, the Board members, should sit across the table and thrash out the issues if any. Resignation isn’t a way out.
The entire clamor of making the CBFC an autonomous body is also not right. As it is, it’s supposed to be an autonomous body but it can never be completely free from the government as it has only formulated the body. And not just this, across sectors, there are so many autonomous bodies, which also have to struggle political influences.

But what will work best in the favor of films is the revival of the Cinematograph Act under which the Censor Board works. The last time it was revived was in 1984, that is, 30 years ago. It has been a long time. Life around us has changed and so should the laws. It should become more liberal. It’s disappointing that even after repeated attempts from Board members to modify the Act, the government hasn’t taken any step in the direction.

The Board has also been suggesting to make more categories other than the present three – U, U/A and A – for film certification, which has also met dead ears. This is one reason that upsets the producers most of the time. There are certain films that above 15-years-old can watch but not the one who are 10 or 12.

Unfortunately, we don’t have a certification like that. Once these things are in place, the Board will have a better control. And as far as the government is concerned, it can continue to be a parent body and let the CBFC have certain autonomy without influencing it much.