New Delhi:
A day after Tamil actor Vishal publicly accused officials of India’s film certification body, popularly called the ‘censor board’, of corruption, it said that despite an online certification system and ‘regular updates on new system improvements’ for film producers and applicants still choose to apply through intermediaries or agents, undermining the goal of eliminating third-party involvement in the certification process.
The Central Board of Film Certification, while assuring that it takes the allegations being reported “very seriously” and has zero tolerance towards corruption, also said that any attempt to “defame the image of CBFC” will not be tolerated.
“With the implementation of aggressive digitalization, full process automation and emphasis on minimal human intervention, the interference of middlemen/agents has significantly reduced, but the practice still exists in some regions which defeats the purpose of transparency and smooth functioning of the organization. certification process,” the CBFC said in an official statement, as reported by news agency ANI.
Actor Vishal’s allegations on CBFC | CBFC says, “It has been noticed that despite the online certification system i.e. E-Cinepramaan, and regular updates on new system enhancements for the film producers/applicants, they still choose to apply through intermediaries or… pic.twitter.com/kVZchmB9mj
— ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2023
The film certification body further requested filmmakers to register their films well in advance to meet the scheduled release.
“However, in extreme cases of urgency, the producers/filmmakers may approach the higher officials of CBFC along with a written request and reasonable grounds for early investigation, which may be done on merit,” the statement said.
Actor Vishal’s nearly four-minute video, addressed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which two persons from the censor board are named with details of online bank transfers, prompted a swift response from the ruling BJP, along with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. rushing a senior officer to Mumbai to “conduct an investigation today itself”.
#Corruption being shown on the silver screen is fine. But not in real life. Can’t digest. Especially in government offices. And even worse happens in it #CBFC Office in Mumbai. Had to pay 6.5 lacs for my movie #MarkAntonyHindi version. 2 transactions. 3 Lakhs for screening and 3.5 Lakhs for… pic.twitter.com/3pc2RzKF6l
— Vishal (@VishalKOfficial) September 28, 2023
The ministry’s Friday afternoon post on was released, to be certified.
The actor, in a message on corruption and corruption”. to take the honest route to serve the nation and not the steps of corruption”.
I sincerely thank you @MIB_India for taking immediate steps on this important issue regarding the problem of corruption #CBFC Mumbai. Thank you very much for the necessary action that has been taken and I certainly hope that this can be an example for every government official who intends or is…
— Vishal (@VishalKOfficial) September 30, 2023
Actor Vishal also thanked Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Shinde at his post.