The government has tried to resolve filmmakers’ and audiences’ complaints about the Central Board of Film Certification’s activities. This step was done in compliance with the Cinematograph Amendment Act of 2023.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has published the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, which will replace the old Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983. This approach intends to alter and enhance the certification procedure for films in India.
After nearly 40 years, the government updated the Cinematograph Act of 1952 last year to handle all aspects of film certification. They have been entirely redesigned to enhance and simplify the entire process of certifying films for public display, according to an official announcement.
According to the announcement, the regulations have been comprehensively revised to completely correspond with the implementation of online certification processes, ensuring increased openness, efficiency, and simplicity of doing business for the film sector.
CBFC Bifurcates Film Categories In Different Age Groups
The film certification system divides films into age groups to guarantee proper watching for viewers. There are the following categories:
- A – This rating refers just to films intended for adults.
- UA – Children under the age of 12 must be supervised when watching films in this category. This category has now been further broken into three age-related sub-categories
A) UA 7: Films suited for youngsters above the age of seven.
B) UA 13: Films suitable for children over the age of 13.
C) UA 16: Films appropriate for children above the age of 16. - U – Films in this category are suitable for unrestricted display in public, allowing audiences of all ages to see them. These certificates are intended to assist audiences, particularly parents, make educated judgments regarding the acceptability of films for various age groups.
How Will the CBFC’s New Regulation Help to Expand the Film Industry?
The new laws enable quicker processing of film certification by utilizing digital procedures, hence lowering transaction time. To make conducting business easier, a ‘priority screening’ mechanism has been added to accelerate certification in circumstances of urgency caused by prior film release obligations. This will promote transparency while eliminating any biases.
The updated requirements for the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) are intended to increase representation and access for women and handicapped people. To promote diversity, the regulations require that one-third of the CBFC Board members be women, with a preference for half. This program is notable because it seeks to address women’s underrepresentation in decision-making roles throughout the film certification process.
