Close X
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
ADVT 
Bollywood

CBFC revamp need of the hour: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra

IANS, 01 Jan, 2016 01:54 PM
    The government's initiative to revamp the framework within which the country's film censorship board functions is a welcome move and the "need of the hour", says National Award winning filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra.
     
    Mehra is part of the newly-appointed revamp panel led by celebrated film maker and director Shyam Benegal. 
     
    "It's a welcome initiative and it's a huge challenge from here. But the revamp is the need of the hour. We are very happy that the government decided to take this initiative," Mehra, known for movies like "Rang De Basanti" and "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", told IANS over phone from Mumbai.
     
    On Friday, the government announced the formation of the Benegal Committee to recommend a holistic framework for the country's film censor board, and to suggest changes in the Cinematograph Act, so that artistic creativity and freedom are not curtailed.
     
    Led by 81-year-old Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner Benegal, an auteur of parallel Indian cinema, the panel also includes ad guru Piyush Pandey, veteran film journalist Bhawana Somaaya, National Film Development Corporation managing director Nina Lath Gupta, and the joint secretary (Films) in the information and broadcasting ministry as the Member Convenor, besides Mehra.
     
    Mehra said they will all put their minds together to create the road map for the changes required in the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
     
    Will it primarily be about suggesting changes to the framework of film certification or about recommending alterations in the Cinematograph Act, 1952?
     
    "I think a bit of everything. It's something we have to sit together and deliberate upon, because, it may sound rhetorical but we have to move with changing times. Times have changed, and there is tremendous change from the days when the framework for the Cinematograph Act was made," Mehra said.
     
    "We are now living in a different world, and so we would like to take things to a next level. There is so much connectivity and information that change is the need of the hour," he said.
     
    Asked if filmmaker Pahlaj Nihalani's role as CBFC chairman remains untouched with the formation of the panel, Mehra said he isn't the right person to answer this question.
     
    However, Mehra stressed that it's "amazing" that the Narendra Modi-led government has taken a step towards "making a beginning" as far as change in film certification is concerned.
     
    The filmmaker had joined the committee upon an invite from the government and said he wanted to be part of it as a "citizen" and then as a filmmaker.
     
    "It's a long journey from here. We have to make a beginning somewhere, and we are looking forward to plot the roadmap ahead," Mehra said, adding that summing up the changes he'd like to see in the rules and regulations of CBFC would be tough to summarise over a call.

    MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

    Kashmira Shah 'reliving fantasy' on 'Siya Ke Ram'

    Kashmira Shah 'reliving fantasy' on 'Siya Ke Ram'
    Actress Kashmira Shah, who is currently essaying Rakshasi Tadaka in "Siya Ke Ram", is happy with her negative avatar on the mythological TV show. She says she always wanted to play such type of roles.

    Kashmira Shah 'reliving fantasy' on 'Siya Ke Ram'

    Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra feels encouraged by 'Mirzya' logo praise

    Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra feels encouraged by 'Mirzya' logo praise
    Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra says he feels encouraged by the response that the logo teaser of his next film, "Mirzya" has generated.

    Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra feels encouraged by 'Mirzya' logo praise

    Need more handsome actors in India: Soha Ali Khan

    There are very few handsome actors in India, and the country needs more, feels actress Soha Ali Khan.

    Need more handsome actors in India: Soha Ali Khan

    Bappi Lahiri to record song with Akon in May 2016

    Singer-composer Bappi Lahiri says he will collaborate with American rapper and songwriter Akon in May next year.

    Bappi Lahiri to record song with Akon in May 2016

    Bollywood's 'Youngest Veteran' Anil Kapoor Turns 59, Stars Send Wishes

    Bollywood's 'Youngest Veteran' Anil Kapoor Turns 59, Stars Send Wishes
    His celebrity friends have described him as a great and a thorough gentleman.

    Bollywood's 'Youngest Veteran' Anil Kapoor Turns 59, Stars Send Wishes

    Remo Was Portuguese Citizen When Given Padma Shri: Lawyer

    Remo Was Portuguese Citizen When Given Padma Shri: Lawyer
    Pop star Remo Fernandes received a Padma Shri in 2007 but he became a Portuguese citizen nearly 14 years earlier, the lawyer of a teenage girl who was allegedly verbally abused by the musician said on Wednesday.

    Remo Was Portuguese Citizen When Given Padma Shri: Lawyer