Film producers are also criticising the appointment of a jumbo advisory panel for CBFC
Fears of copies of the film leaking and possible badmouthing are forcing film makers to approach the Central Board of Film Certification at the eleventh hour paving way for corruption.
Hyderabad: Fears of copies of the film leaking and possible badmouthing are forcing film makers to approach the Central Board of Film Certification at the eleventh hour paving way for corruption. As film makers put pressure on CBFC officials for quick certification a day ahead of release bribery takes place, industry experts said.
Senior producers from the film industry and former censor officials opined that there is a huge burden on CBFC regional office as it has to certify around 250 to 300 films in a year including straight Telugu and dubbed films from other languages, around 1000 TV trailers and certification change for 100 more films for TV screening.
Senior film producer Thammareddy Bharadwaj said, “To screen a film on Television ‘A’ certificate will not be accepted. So film makers have to again chop scenes and dialogues that are let off for theatre screening and they have to again apply for certification to get a U certificate. This consumes a lot of time of censor board officials.
This system has to go.” He added, “As producers approach the board a day or two ahead of release there is pressure on both sides. A decade ago we used to go to censor a month or two before the release. Now due to fear of leakage producers are waiting till the last day. This is the prime reason for bribery.”
A former CBFC advisory panel member said, “If the film is not good the producers fear the talk may go out. They are afraid that there will be no buyers for the film if unofficial reviews are out.” Film producers are also criticising the appointment of a jumbo advisory panel for CBFC.
“Earlier there were only 10 advisory panel members for the board. Now there are around 80 to 100 and it’s a rehabilitation centre for those having political links. There are several good and honest officers. At the same time even all panel members can’t be given a clean chit,” said Thammareddy. According to CBFC any film has to be certified within 21 days of application. “At Hyderabad, we ensure that no film is delayed beyond this stipulated time. It’s the producers who come late for certification,” said a Censor Board official in the city.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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