The Shyam Benegal Committee is officially known as the Expert Committee on Suggestions on the Cinematograph Act. It was formed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in 2016. The committee was tasked with examining the Cinematograph Act of 1952 and making recommendations to update and modernize it.
The committee was chaired by renowned filmmaker Shyam Benegal and consisted of several other experts from the film industry, including film critic Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, film director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, and National Film Development Corporation managing director Nina Lath Gupta, among others.
The committee’s recommendations included creating a new category of certification for films that are suitable for children and youth, updating the process for certification to make it more transparent and efficient, and setting up an independent appellate body to hear appeals against certification decisions.
Key Recommendations of Shyam Benegal Committee
The Shyam Benegal Committee made several key recommendations to modernize and update the Cinematograph Act of 1952. Some of the major recommendations are:
- Introduction of a new category of certification: The committee recommended the introduction of a new category of certification for films that are suitable for children and youth. This new category would be called “U12+” and would apply to films that are suitable for children above 12 years of age.
- Setting up an independent appellate body: The committee recommended the establishment of an independent appellate body to hear appeals against certification decisions. This body would be separate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and would have the power to overturn certification decisions made by the CBFC.
- Updating the certification process: The committee recommended several changes to the certification process to make it more transparent and efficient. For example, it recommended that the certification process be completed within 30 days and that filmmakers be given clear reasons for any cuts or modifications that are made to their films.
- Removal of censorship: The committee recommended the removal of the term “censorship” from the Cinematograph Act and its replacement with “certification”. This would reflect the fact that the CBFC’s role is to certify films for public exhibition rather than censor them.
- Training and sensitization of CBFC members: The committee recommended that CBFC members undergo regular training and sensitization programs to ensure that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their duties in a fair and unbiased manner.
Overall, the Shyam Benegal Committee’s recommendations were aimed at balancing artistic freedom with social responsibility, while also addressing issues such as piracy and copyright infringement. These recommendations, if implemented, could help modernize and streamline the film certification process in India. At the same time, it aimed at balancing artistic freedom and social responsibility in the film industry, while also addressing issues such as piracy and copyright infringement.
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