Film-makers will now be barred from uploading their uncensored work online, the Union ministry of information and broadcasting and Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) told the Punjab and Haryana high court on Wednesday. The ministry has also asked CBFC to take an undertaking from film-makers in this regard before granting certification.
"There is no provision in the Cinematograph Act to certify content which is posted on the internet, and CBFC does not have any control over any content which is available on YouTube or any other websites. However, CBFC will ensure that an undertaking be submitted by the producers/directors that they will not release the exited portion of the feature/film to anybody," Mittal said.
The assistant solicitor general also told the court that the ministry had constituted a committee headed by noted film-maker Shyam Benegal to evolve guidelines and procedures for a better certification framework. A list of guidelines followed by CBFC for certifying movies was also submitted to the court. After hearing the ministry's reply, Justice Rajesh Bindal disposed of the petition.
The issue reached the court following a petition by a Ludhiana-based NGO, Raksha Jyoti Foundation, against what it deemed vulgar content in recently released movies 'Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3' and 'Mastizaade'. The court had asked for a detailed reply from the ministry and CBFC after it was informed that though the films were released after several cuts, the trailers and promos online contained "vulgar scenes". 'Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3' was given an 'A' certificate after 139 cuts, while 'Mastizaade' needed 381 cuts.
Appearing for the ministry and CBFC, assistant solicitor general of India Chetan Mittal told the court that the board certifies films only for public exhibition in theatres or on television as per the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and related rules.
Appearing for the ministry and CBFC, assistant solicitor general of India Chetan Mittal told the court that the board certifies films only for public exhibition in theatres or on television as per the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and related rules.
"There is no provision in the Cinematograph Act to certify content which is posted on the internet, and CBFC does not have any control over any content which is available on YouTube or any other websites. However, CBFC will ensure that an undertaking be submitted by the producers/directors that they will not release the exited portion of the feature/film to anybody," Mittal said.
The assistant solicitor general also told the court that the ministry had constituted a committee headed by noted film-maker Shyam Benegal to evolve guidelines and procedures for a better certification framework. A list of guidelines followed by CBFC for certifying movies was also submitted to the court. After hearing the ministry's reply, Justice Rajesh Bindal disposed of the petition.
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