Public Opinion sought by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2021

NEWS

By Pallavi Paul

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has sought comments from the general public to be submitted by 2nd July 2021 on the draft of the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2021. The amendment addresses the menace of film piracy wherein the Central Government will have ‘revisionary powers’ to ‘re-examine’ an already certified movie by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) if the situation so warranted. In other words, the Central Government will have the power to ask for re-certification of an already certified film if viewers file any complaint. 

NEWS

By Pallavi Paul

The proposed changes also focus on the age-based restrictions wherein the existing categories will be sub-divided into different categories, viz. U/A 7+, U/A 13+ and U/A 16+ following the new IT rules. The validity of certification of a movie that is ten years under the existing Act has been proposed to be valid in perpetuity, i.e., unlimited duration. The addition of Section ‘6AA’ in the Act will prohibit unauthorized recordings. This move comes as piracy is one of the major concerns for the film industry, taking place for years. As there are no enabling provisions to check the piracy of films in the Cinematograph Act, 1952, it is necessary to curb the same.