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Shyam Benegal panel submits report on censor board

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Film maker Shyam Benegal headed committee constituted by the Information and Broadcasting ministry to suggest measures to help Board members understand the distinctions of film certification of the censor board submitted its report to I&B minister Arun Jaitly.

  • The panel comprised of film-maker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Adman Piyush Pandey, actor Kamal Haasan, film journalist Bhawana Somayaa, and film-maker Gautam Ghose.Shyam Benegal panel submits report on censor board
  • The objectives of the guidelines is that children and adults are protected from potentially harmful or unsuitable content while audiences, particularly parents, are authorized to make informed watching decisions.

Key Recommendations:

  • The committee suggested that the Central Board of Film Certification can decline certification if a film having anything that contravenes the provisions of Section 5B (1) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
  • CBFC head will onlyplays the role of a guiding mechanism for the body, and not be involved in the day-to-day activities regarding the certification of films.
  • It allows the exhibition of adult cinema in selectedhallsmainly with explicit sex and violence as content.

Categorization of Films:

  • The committee categorized the films according to the viewers in the following categories. U, U/A, (15+),18 (A) and A with caution to ensure that children are secured from violent and adult content.However the panel did not look into content on TV and online.

Specification over Cut:

  • The panel recommended censor board to categorize rather than cutting the films whereas suggesting new categories classifying movies also said every applicants should submit the Director’s Cut in the NFAI for preservation of Indian cinema.

Online Route for Application:

  • It suggested online submission of applications as well as simplification of forms and accompanying documentation. It asked directors to specify the category of certification being sought and the target audience.

Advisory Panel:

  • The committee has recommended the criteria for appointments as per that women should have 50 % representation on each panel in the Regional Advisory Panel.