(a) whether the production of films depicting violence and indecency has increased to a great
deal;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(c) the steps being taken by the Government to save the posterity from the ill effects of showing
such films?
(a) whether the production of films depicting violence and indecency has increased to a great
deal;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(c) the steps being taken by the Government to save the posterity from the ill effects of showing
such films?
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)
(a) & (b) : The thematic variations in films is a continuous affair and trends are based on new
films gaining success at the box office.
(c) : Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certifies films in terms of the provisions of the
Cinematograph Act, 1952 and the guidelines issued thereunder. The guidelines, inter alia, ask
CBFC to ensure that:
1. Scenes showing involvement of children in violence or as victims or as perpetrators
or as forced witness to violence, or showing children as being subjected to any form
of child abuse are not presented needlessly;
2. Pointless or avoidable scenes of violence, cruelty and horror, scenes of violence
primarily intended to provide entertainment and such scenes as may have the effect
of desensitizing or dehumanizing people are not shown;
3. Scenes degrading or denigrating women in any manner are not presented.
4. Human sensibilities are not offended by obscenity, vulgarity or depravity
It has also been stipulated in the guidelines that while certifying films for unrestricted
public exhibition, the Board shall ensure that the film is suitable for family viewing, that is to say,
the film should be such that all the members of the family including children can view it together.
If the Board, having regard to the nature, content and theme of the film, is of the opinion
that it is necessary to caution the parents/guardian to consider as to whether any child below the
age of 12 years may be allowed to see such a film, the film should be certified for unrestricted
public showing with an endorsement to that effect.
It has been informed by CBFC that the guidelines are adhered to while certifying the films.