Disquiet in film board: 'Censorship raj', no meeting in 6 years, no reports, term lapsed, Pg 3.

Key Highlights:

• India's official entry for Oscars 2026 is Homebound, but it faced cuts and modifications by the CBFC.
• Punjab '95, starring Diljit Dosanjh, remains uncertified due to disagreements over requested cuts by the CBFC.
• The CBFC hasn't held a board meeting since August 31, 2019, and the last annual report on the website is from 2016-17.
• The board's term, last reconstituted on August 1, 2017, expired in 2020, raising questions about its legal status.

Detailed Insights:

• The CBFC, a statutory body under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, is facing internal divisions over its decision-making processes.
• Filmmakers are alleging a "super censorship raj" within the CBFC, impacting the Indian film industry's global aspirations.
• The Cinematograph (Certification) Rules 2024 mandate quarterly board meetings and annual reports, which have not been followed.
• The Film Certification Appellate Tribunal was abolished in April 2021, consolidating powers with the High Courts, which filmmakers find costly and time-consuming.
• Punjab '95 faced demands for over 100 cuts, including removal of terms like "judicial killings" and "Punjab Police".
• Some CBFC members express concerns over the chairperson's unilateral decisions and the lack of transparency.

Key Concepts Involved:

• CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification): A statutory body that regulates the public exhibition of films in India.
• Cinematograph Act: The primary legislation governing film certification in India, ensuring films adhere to certain standards.
• Certification: The process by which the CBFC grants a film a rating, indicating its suitability for different age groups.