Consider these.
(a) Almost a week back, Rakesh Kumar - a bureaucrat from the railways - who was the CEO of the
Central Board of Film Censors(CBFC) was arrested on charges of corruption. He used to accept
bribes for clearing movies for release, out of turn and for other extraneous considerations!
(b) The Punjabi movie 'Kaum de heere', glorifying the assassins of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was
slated for this Friday(22 Aug) release saying that it has been cleared by the Censor Board. The
film, to quote sources, 'has highly objectionable content, that may create enmity between communities
and lead to communal tension'.
(c) There was a resultant hue and cry - naturally so - against the screening of the movie citing far
reaching ramifications. Strangely, Punjab's Badal government was deafeningly silent about the issue.
(d) The Ministry of Home Affairs had intervened and a decision to ban its screening was taken after the
film was watched by the representatives of the MHA, the Intelligence Bureau(IB), the CBFC along
with its producer, Pradeep Bansal in Bombay. Consequently, the CBFC withdrew its certificate.
My take.
A sad state of affairs, indeed. The chairperson of the CBFC had talked about the rampant corruption in the
censor board, thanks to its functioning under the ambit of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Government control over providing funds and making appointments can only kill the independence of the autonomous body despite having a clear headed and no nonsense head like Leela Samson who's known for her impeccable integrity and dedication to work.
Thankfully, a major snafu has been avoided on time!
Tailpiece.
1. After having said that, the cynic in me cannot but see a mischief being played out. A couple of factors are the reasons that fuel my doubt viz. the change in the central government and the term of the censor board's chairperson is nearing its end. Wasn't the unwanted imbroglio brought about by those who are itching to adorn that chair lest she be given another term?
2. Though I might sound paradoxical in this argument of mine, I must reiterate that the censor board should not be a cushy posting for any bureaucrat. But anyone who appreciates and understands meaningful films and the nuances of film making must be considered eligible along with the artistes in the field. His professional tag must in no way come as a hurdle.
(a) Almost a week back, Rakesh Kumar - a bureaucrat from the railways - who was the CEO of the
Central Board of Film Censors(CBFC) was arrested on charges of corruption. He used to accept
bribes for clearing movies for release, out of turn and for other extraneous considerations!
(b) The Punjabi movie 'Kaum de heere', glorifying the assassins of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was
slated for this Friday(22 Aug) release saying that it has been cleared by the Censor Board. The
film, to quote sources, 'has highly objectionable content, that may create enmity between communities
and lead to communal tension'.
(c) There was a resultant hue and cry - naturally so - against the screening of the movie citing far
reaching ramifications. Strangely, Punjab's Badal government was deafeningly silent about the issue.
(d) The Ministry of Home Affairs had intervened and a decision to ban its screening was taken after the
film was watched by the representatives of the MHA, the Intelligence Bureau(IB), the CBFC along
with its producer, Pradeep Bansal in Bombay. Consequently, the CBFC withdrew its certificate.
My take.
A sad state of affairs, indeed. The chairperson of the CBFC had talked about the rampant corruption in the
censor board, thanks to its functioning under the ambit of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Government control over providing funds and making appointments can only kill the independence of the autonomous body despite having a clear headed and no nonsense head like Leela Samson who's known for her impeccable integrity and dedication to work.
Thankfully, a major snafu has been avoided on time!
Tailpiece.
1. After having said that, the cynic in me cannot but see a mischief being played out. A couple of factors are the reasons that fuel my doubt viz. the change in the central government and the term of the censor board's chairperson is nearing its end. Wasn't the unwanted imbroglio brought about by those who are itching to adorn that chair lest she be given another term?
2. Though I might sound paradoxical in this argument of mine, I must reiterate that the censor board should not be a cushy posting for any bureaucrat. But anyone who appreciates and understands meaningful films and the nuances of film making must be considered eligible along with the artistes in the field. His professional tag must in no way come as a hurdle.
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