Overview
The CBFC decides which movies can be shown in Indian theatres and, de‑facto, on streaming platforms. Its choices shape the stories filmmakers dare to tell. Recent actions show the board delaying reviews, hiding certificates and restricting access to cut versions, raising questions about its legality and relevance.
Key Developments
- The film Monkey Man has not been examined for more than twelve months, creating a de‑facto ban.
- References to the government’s COVID‑19 response were removed from Homebound before certification.
- The board stopped publishing certificates in the official Gazette, violating Section 5A(2) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
- Online certificate details are now hidden behind an “under maintenance” notice, making them hard to retrieve.
- Archives no longer receive cut portions of films for scholarly research.
Important Facts
1. The CBFC’s mandate is to review films within weeks, but the prolonged hold on Monkey Man shows a departure from this timeline.
2. By not publishing certificates in the Gazette, the board breaches a statutory requirement, raising legal challenges.
3. The practice of pre‑censorship limits artistic freedom and curtails dissenting political narratives.
Exam Relevance
Understanding the CBFC’s role touches upon several UPSC topics: Polity (institutional autonomy, statutory compliance), Culture (media freedom, impact on public discourse), and Ethics (balancing state interests with freedom of expression). Questions may arise about the adequacy of the Cinematograph Act as a check on censorship, and the need for judicial or parliamentary oversight.
Way Forward
- Strengthen enforcement of Section 5A(2) to ensure timely publication of certificates.
- Introduce a transparent, time‑bound review mechanism to prevent de‑facto bans.
- Allow independent research bodies access to cut versions for academic study.
- Consider amending the Cinematograph Act to limit pre‑censorship and align with international free‑speech standards.
These steps can restore credibility to the certification process while safeguarding creative expression.