Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal to head panel to revamp Censor Board
Mumbai: On Friday, the information and broadcasting ministry constituted a panel headed by veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal to give recommendations and look into a revamp of the Censor Board.
The panel, which would submit its report in two months, includes filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, adman Piyush Pandey and film critic Bhawana Somaaya.
Apart from these, National Film Development Council MD Nina Lath Gupta and Joint Secretary (Films) Sanjay Murthy would also be part of committee.
The Censor Board has been mired in controversy ever since Pahlaj Nihalani took charge as its chief last year.
The board earned criticism from people for the several decisions that were taken by Pahlaj Nihalani like introducing a list of cuss, which was opposed by fellow board members as well.
Censorship issues must be looked at from time to time: Shyam Benegal
The information and broadcasting minister Arun Jaitley recently hinted at the transformation of the board in order to get rid of the controversy.
"I do believe that time has come to have a look at the role of the Certification Board, as I prefer to call it. The Certification Board needs to be controversy-free," Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley said earlier this week.
A statement released here said the panel has been formed "in sync with the vision" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The recommendations of this Committee are expected to provide a holistic framework and enable those tasked with the work of certification of films to discharge their responsibilities keeping in view this framework, the statement said.
"During their deliberations, the Committee would be expected to take note of the best practises in various parts of the world, especially where the film industry is given sufficient and adequate space for creative and aesthetic expression," he said.
The Committee would recommend broad guidelines,procedures under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act, rules for the benefit of the chairperson and other members of the Screening Committee.
The staffing pattern of CBFC would also be looked into in an effort to recommend a framework which would provide efficient, transparent user friendly services, the statement added.
In its statement released here, the I&B ministry said that in most countries there is a mechanism of certifying films and documentaries but it has to be ensured that in doing so, artistic creativity and freedom do not get stifled or curtailed.
"The people tasked with the work of certification understand these nuances," it added.
Indian films have glorious history and a whole lot of Indian films have enriched the cultural milieu of the country besides making astonishing advances in technical aspects of film making, the Ministry said.
(With PTI inputs)
