The suggestion had been made to the I&B Ministry by PAC in its 94th report too.The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has asked the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to allow filmmakers to self-certify their movies while applying to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The PAC has recommended that if CBFC does not agree with the certification that has been asked for by the filmmaker, it can be referred to a “Film Certification Jury” comprising “retired judges, eminent lawyers, film makers, eminent actors, writers and acclaimed artists for a matured view”.
The PAC said in its 121st report that it desires the “filmmakers to be enabled to certify their films themselves and for being eligible for self certification under specific categories” and if CBFC “does not agree with the category under which certification has been applied for, the film may be referred to ‘Film Certification Jury’.
The suggestion had been made to the I&B Ministry by PAC in its 94th report too, responding to which the ministry had said that since films have the ability of “stirring up emotions more deeply than any other product of art”, as stated by the Supreme Court, “self-certification of films has not been considered so far”. But PAC again reiterated that while amending Cinematograph Act “in line with changing dynamics of the film industry and change in societal values”, its recommendation for self-certification “may also be considered”.
