Essay on the Film Censorship in India

The Censor Board or Central Board of Film Certification is a statutory censorship and a classification body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. The board assigns certification to films, television shows, television ads, and publications for sale, hire or exhibition in India. A film could be publicly exhibited only after the board has certified to do so.

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According to the Supreme Court of India,

“Film censorship becomes necessary because a film motivates thought and action and assures a high degree of attention and retention as compared to the printed word. The combination of act and speech, sight and sound in semi darkness of the theatre with elimination of all distracting ideas will have a strong impact on the minds of the viewers and can affect emotions. Therefore, it has as much potential for evil as it has for good and has an equal potential to instill or cultivate violent or bad behavior. It cannot be equated with other modes of communication. Censorship by prior restraint is, therefore, not only desirable but also necessary.”

The history of Censor board goes way back to 1896, the year in which the first cinema came to India. With the production of the first cinema in India in 1913, Indian Cinematograph was passed which came into effect only in 1920. Censor Boards where then under police chiefs at various locations across the country.

After Independence, regional censors were put to an end and it was bought under the Bombay Board of Film Censors. With the accomplishment of Cinematograph Act, 1952, the board was unified and known as the Central Board of Film Censors and when the rules were revised in 1983, the board has come to be known as Central Board of Film Certification.

The Central Board of Film Certification has mainly four kinds of certifications:

1. U – Universal – Unrestricted Public Exhibition through out India and holds no restriction for age groups. They might contain educational, family, or social oriented themes. They may also include fantasy violence or minimal or mild bad languages.
2. UA – Parental guidance – This category explains that the film is suitable for all ages, however it is best if children below 12 are accompanied by parents, as the theme may be a bit inappropriate for the child. These rated films may include mature themes, mild sex scenes, sexual references, mild violence or infrequent use of crude language.
3. A – Adults Only – This is restricted to adults audience only, that means those above 18 years of age. Films in this category may contain adult or disturbing themes, brutal violence, strong sex scenes, or scenes of drug abuse, which is not suitable for the minors.
4. S – Restricted to any special class of persons – These rated films are for a special class like in the case of doctors.

The Censor Board consists of non official members and a Chairman, all of whom are appointed by the Central Government. The main headquarters of the board is at Mumbai and has nine Regional offices across the country being at locations like Kolkota, Chennai, Bangalore, Thiruvanthapuram, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Cuttack, and Guwahati.

The Advisory Panels assist the Regional Offices and the members of these panels are being selected by the Central government, selecting people from different walks of life for a period of two years. They have the two tier jury system, the Examining and Revising Committees.

India has the largest film industry in the world, making over 1250 feature films and short films every year. Being a very competitive field, film makers might go that extra mile as per their imagination to get that extra coverage, which at times may be appealing or may not be appealing.

Sometime violations may happen and it is at this instinct that film certifications are most required. Since audio video visuals create a stronger impact in the minds of the people, the need for certification is considered necessary so that a control and different ratings makes it clear for the category of the film and the viewers.

The CBFC makes sure that any film that has to be screened has to comply to the following objectives:

1. The medium of the film remains responsible and sensitive to the values and standards of the society.
2. The freedom of being artistic and creative will not be cramped.
3. Certification is responsive to social changes.
4. The film provides clean and healthy entertainment.
5. The film is of aesthetic value and of good standards.

When all the set condition according to the Cinematograph Act, 1952 are complied, then only the board would be certifying the movie as per their grades.