Censor Board hires sleuths to monitor films

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has decided to engage detectives to monitor theatres to ensure that exhibitors do not attach salacious bits to films being screened to lure gullible audience to an already certified film.

The detectives are proposed to be hired to assist the board in order to obtain vital feedback for members on the films being screened and assess whether they are actually certified movies. There are many instances where some adventurous exhibitors, in connivance with local cops, secretly insert clips of censored scenes or those containing adult material not in the original films to have audience flocking to the screenings.

To provide for the services of these detectives, the CBFC has now earmarked a total outlay of Rs 2.5 crore during the 12th Five Year Plan of which Rs 50 lakh will be utilised annually.

The Censor Board wants to ensure that good and healthy entertainment, recreation and education contents are provided as also accessed by the public in accordance with the provisions of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules 1983. It has planned to make the certification process transparent and responsible.

The board has sought an additional outlay of Rs 4 crore from the Centre for monitoring and modernising the certification process. The idea, officials note, is to enable the board and its members be equipped with the latest tools for discharging their duties.

Further, the CBFC, following its changing role from that of a regulator to that of a facilitator, proposes to bring in technological changes in the certification of films to reduce human interface as also put in place effective anti-piracy measures.

The CBFC, under a budgeted Rs 5.5-crore programme, has put in place a mechanism for online submission of films, thereby reducing the number of times an applicant has to visit the CBFC office.