Background

 

CBFC is a content certifying body for moving images.  It functions under M/O Information and Broadcasting, GOI as per the provisions of The Cinematograph Act, 1952 and The Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983.  All films, music videos, documentaries  meant for public exhibition, irrespective of their length, whether in celluloid or video or CD or DVD version are subjected to certification by CBFC. Justification of film certification in India has been upheld even by the highest court of the land.

 

“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 instil or cultivate violent or good behaviour. It cannot be equated with other modes of communication. Censorship by prior restraint is, therefore, not only desirable but also necessary''''

 

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

 

Legislation

 

The censorship of films is governed by the The Cinematograph Act,1952, the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules promulgated in 1983 and the guidelines issued on December 6, 1991. The guidelines are issued under Section 5B of the Act. This section says that '''' a film shall not be certified for public exhibition, if, in the opinion of the authority competent to grant the certificate, the film or any part of it is against the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the States, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality or involves defamation or contempt of court or is likely to incite the commission of any offence.''''

 

Film Classification categories in India

 

U	Unrestricted Public Exhibition
UA	Unrestricted Public Exhibition - but with a word of caution that Parental discretion required for children below 12 years
A	Restricted to adults
s	Restricted to any special class of persons

 

 

CENTRAL BOARD OF FILM CERTIFICATION

The details of Name and Tenure of the Chairperson

 

Sr.	Name of Chairperson	From	To
1.	C.S. AGGARWAL	15-01-1951	14-06-1954
2.	B.D. MIRCHANDANI	15-06-1954	09-06-1955
3	M.D. BHATT	10-06-1955	21-11-1959
4	D.L. KOTHARI	22-11-1959	24-03-1960
5.	B.D. MIRCHANDANI	25-3-1960	01-11-1960
6	D.L. KOTHARI	02-11-1960	22-04-1965
7	B.P. BHATT	23-04-1965	22-04-1968
8	R.P. NAYAK	23-04-1968	15-11-1969
9	M.V. DESAI	12-12-1969	19-10-1970
10	R.  SRINIVASAN	20-10-1970	15-11-1971
11	VIRENDRA VYAS	11-02-1972	30-06-1976
12	K.L. KHANDPUR	01-07-1976	31-01-1981
13	HRISHIKESH MUKHERJEE	01-02-1981	10-08-1982
14	APARNA MOHILE	11-08-1982	14-03-1983
15	SHARAD UPASANI	15-03-1983	09-05-1983
16	SURRESH MATHUR	10-05-1983	07-07-1983
17	VIKRAM SINGH	08-07-1983	19-02-1989
18	MORESHWAR VANMALI	20-02-1989	25-04-1990
19	B.P.SINGHAL	25-04-1990	01-04-1991
20	SHAKTI SAMANTA	01-04-1991	25-06-1998
21	ASHA PAREKH	25-06-1998	25-09-2001
22	VIJAY ANAND	26-09-2001	19-07-2002
23	ARVIND TRIVEDI	20-07-2002	16-10-2003
24	ANUPHAM KHER	16-10-2003	13-10-2004
25	SHARMILA TAGORE	13-10-2004	Till date

 

Important Facts

• Office of censors –  first in Rome 443B.C.
• Censure in Latin means ‘to assess or to give one’s opinion’.
• 28-12-1895-paris-cinema was born.
• 7-7-1896 - cinema came to India.
• First show at Watson hotel by  M/S Llumiere Brothers.
• Cinematograph act, 1909- first in England.
• Initially done for enforcing fire safety in halls.
• BBFC was established in 1912.
• First film produced in India in 1913 by Dadasaheb Phalke.
• Film censorship started in other countries like  Norway(1913), Denmark(1914), Sweden(1916)
• Indian cinematograph bill introduced in 1917 in imperial legislative council.
• Indian cinematograph act, 1918 became enforceable.
• All decisions were made non-justifiable.
• Act finally came into effect on 1-8-1920.
• Primary targets were sensational movies from the USA.
• Censor boards were placed under police chiefs in cities of Madras, Bombay, Calcutta, Lahore and Rangoon.
• Regional censors were independent.
• Later offices opened in up, Punjab, Mysore, Travancore and Cochin.
• After independence govt. Appointed film enquiry committee under Shri S.K.Patil.
• From 15-1-1951 autonomy of regional censors abolished.
• Brought under censor board, Bombay.
• First amendment of constitution in 1951, brought ‘reasonable restrictions’ in 19(2).  This was done mainly to introduce land reform.
• The cinematograph act 1952 came into effect from 28-7-1952.
• Political class was unanimous about cinema as a moral evil.
• In 1954, 13000 women signed a petition to Nehru to curb evil influence of cinema.
• Cinematograph(Certification) Rules were revised in 1983.
• Since 1983, Censor Board became Central Board of Film Certification(CBFC).
• ‘UA’ and ‘S’ certificate introduced in 1983.
• Guidelines of film certification revised in 1991.