Time to Act: Archaic 1952 law to be amended

  However, it seems, things are now going to change. Yesterday, CBFC officials and several leading producers from Mumbai had a long meeting and it was decided that it is time the Cinematograph Act 1952 was amended. The two-hour-long meeting, which was attended by Ramesh Sippy, Mukesh Bhatt, Mahesh Bhatt, T P Agarwal (IMPPA President), Pankaja Thakur (CBFC CEO), Leela Samson and few government officials took place in New Delhi.

To be implemented at the earliest, the amendments will be suggested by the Mudgal team and a team representing the producers, keeping in view the mindset of the new audience.

When contacted, Mukesh said, "Finally, we have taken the first step to keep up with the times. I applaud the notes of understanding echoed by the CBFC in the meeting."

Welcoming the move, Ungli director Rensil D'silva, said, "Super. I like the way the meeting concluded. The amendment was long overdue."

Ghanchakkar director Rajkumar Gupta said: "61 years is a pretty long time. Times have changed, people have changed and so have perspectives. The step will give the filmmakers more creative freedom." CBFC members met a delegation of producers on Monday and decided to change the Cinematograph Act.

In February this year, a panel had been constituted under the chairmanship of judicial expert Mukul Mudgal, to review the functioning of the CBFC (Censor Board of Film Certification).

Leela Samson (CBFC Chief), Sharmila Tagore and Javed Akhtar were some of the important members of that committee.

However, most filmmakers have not been too happy with the manner in which they have been asked by the CBFC to revise their films multiple times before they are given a nod of consent. The board has always cited the Cinematograph Act 1952, for the same.