We know the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) plays a key role in the film industry. Now, the Central Government has amended the Cinematograph Act of 1952 with provisions that will give the Centre revisionary powers and allow it to re-examine films already approved by the CBFC.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has made these provisions to equip the Centre with revisionary powers on account of violation of Section 5B(1) (principles for guidance in certifying films).
The Cinematograph Act, 1952, provides for the certification of films under three categories—unrestricted public exhibition or U, parental guidance required for children under 12 or U/A, and adult films. Now, the government seeks to sub-categorize it into age-based classification such as U/A 7+, U/A 13+ and U/A 16+.
This move from the Centre seems to be on a par with the new IT Rules on the age-appropriate distribution of content for digital streaming platforms wherein content that all can watch has a U rating.