PIL in Madras High Court insists on revoking UA certificate issued to Rajinikanth-starrer Jailer

PIL in Madras High Court insists on revoking UA certificate issued to Rajinikanth-starrer Jailer

Subject :POLITY

Section: National body

Context: Litigant claims that the movie is full of violent scenes such as smashing heads, beheading, chopping off ear and therefore not conducive for children below 12 years of age

About Central Board of Film Certification:

• Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is a statutory body under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, regulating the public exhibition of films under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act 1952.
• Films can be publicly exhibited in India only after they have been certified by the Central Board of Film Certification.
• The Board consists of non-official members and a Chairman (all of whom are appointed by Central Government) and functions with headquarters at Mumbai.
• It has nine Regional offices, one each at Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Cuttack and Guwahati. The Regional Offices are assisted in the examination of films by Advisory Panels.
• The members of the panels are nominated by Central Government by drawing people from different walks of life for a period of 2 years.
• Films are certified under 4 categories.
  • “U” (unrestricted public exhibition)
  • “A” (restricted to adult audiences]
  • “U/A” (unrestricted public exhibition subject to parental guidance for children below the age of twelve) and
  • “S” (restricted to specialized audiences such as doctors or scientists).
• In addition to these certifications the board may also refuse to certify.