In a landmark move, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) held its first board meeting in six years, raising critical questions about the transparency of film review panels and the 2024 certification guidelines.
- CBFC held its first official board meeting in six years on August 29.
- Members demanded a list of individuals who consistently headed the Revising Committees.
- Discussion focused on the implementation of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules 2024.
- Board members had not been officially reappointed since 2017 despite 3-year terms.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), popularly known as the Censor Board, has finally broken a six-year silence by convening its 149th board meeting. This pivotal gathering marks the first meeting under the leadership of the new Chairperson, Shashi Shekhar Vempati. The primary agenda revolved around the lack of transparency regarding the 'Revising Committees' that determine the final fate of controversial films.
A Revising Committee is triggered when either the film producers or the board are dissatisfied with the initial decision made by the Examining Committee. The urgency for this inquiry stems from a previous investigation revealing that a disproportionate number of these committees were headed by only three board members, raising concerns about systemic bias and a lack of diverse perspectives in film certification.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the six-year vacuum in board meetings has effectively shifted the power from a representative board to a few unnamed bureaucrats. This institutional decay has not only alienated the film industry but has also led to inconsistent certification standards. The sudden revival of the board suggests an attempt to sanitize the process before new government mandates are fully enforced.
"The failure to hold board meetings for over half a decade is a systemic collapse of the democratic oversight intended for film certification in India."
The meeting also served as a platform to discuss the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules 2024, which supersede the outdated 1983 regulations. A significant point of contention was the new age-based subdivision of the UA category into UA 7+, UA 13+, and UA 16+. Members sought further clarification on the precise legal and content-based differences between the 16+ and 18+ certifications.
Historically, the CBFC is mandated to meet quarterly. However, the record shows that the 12-member board last met on August 31, 2019. Furthermore, a shocking administrative lapse was highlighted: none of the members had been officially reappointed since August 1, 2017, meaning the board had been functioning without valid tenures for years.
| Feature | Old Rules (1983) | New Rules (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| UA Classification | Single UA Category | Split into UA 7+, 13+, 16+ |
| Meeting Frequency | Irregular/Neglected | Mandatory Quarterly Meetings |
| Certification Basis | General Age Guidance | Granular Age-Based Categories |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is a Revising Committee in the CBFC?
A: It is a secondary panel that reviews a film if the original certification decision is contested by the producer or the board.
Q2: What are the new UA categories introduced in 2024?
A: The UA category has been subdivided into UA 7+, UA 13+, and UA 16+ to provide more specific age-based guidance.
