Question : Blocking of Release of Funds

(a) whether the Government is aware that there have been certain incidents of blocking the release of films etc. in the recent past;
(b) if so, the details of the films denied permission during the last three years and the current year, language-wise along with the steps taken by the Government to check such incidents in future;
(c) the reasons for the denial of permission to Hindi movies ‘Padmavati’ and Malayalam movie ‘S. Durga’ and the decision of the Government thereon;
(d) whether the Government proposes to formulate any policy regulating non-interference in the field of art and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government has issued any new guidelines regarding the censoring of motion pictures in the country and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING [COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)]:
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(a) & (b): The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certifies films for public exhibition in accordance with the Cinematograph Act, 1952, Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983 and Guidelines issued thereunder. The release of any film does not fall under the purview of CBFC. List of films refused certification by CBFC for public exhibition during the last 3 years is at Annexure.
(c): Padmavati:
The application for certification of the film ‘Padmavati’ (Hindi) in its 3D version was submitted to Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on 28.11.2017. The film is under the process of certification in accordance with the Cinematograph Act 1952, Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983 and the guidelines issued thereunder.

S Durga:
The film was submitted with the name ‘Sexy Durga’. CBFC after examination directed the applicant to change the name of film as it was found to be violative of Guideline 6, viz. provocative and disrespectful to certain faith/religion, and to remove the vulgar words from the film wherever they appear. CBFC granted ‘UA’ certificate after the film producer changed the title from ‘Sexy Durga’ to ‘S Durga’.

(d): Films are certified by CBFC in accordance with the guidelines for certification issued under the provisions of Section 5B of Cinematograph Act 1952.

(e): No, Madam.
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