With FCAT abolished, filmmakers unhappy with CBFC's decision will now have to go to court with grievances.
Vishal Bhardwaj and Hansal Mehta Picture Courtesy: Mid-day Archives
The Ministry of Law and Justice has reportedly abolished the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) with immediate effect. Filmmakers and producers took to Twitter to express their disappointment.
ADVERTISEMENT
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta tweeted on Wednesday: "Do the high courts have a lot of time to address film certification grievances? How many film producers will have the means to approach the courts? The FCAT discontinuation feels arbitrary and is definitely restrictive. Why this unfortunate timing? Why take this decision at all?"
Do the high courts have a lot of time to address film certification grievances? How many film producers will have the means to approach the courts? The FCAT discontinuation feels arbitrary and is definitely restrictive. Why this unfortunate timing? Why take this decision at all?
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) April 7, 2021
"Such a sad day for cinema. FILM CERTIFICATION APPELLATE TRIBUNAL ABOLISHED | 6 April, 2021," expressed filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj.
Such a sad day for cinema
— Vishal Bhardwaj (@VishalBhardwaj) April 6, 2021
FILM CERTIFICATION APPELLATE TRIBUNAL ABOLISHED | 6 April, 2021
https://t.co/MoqSGROdLP
Producer Guneet Monga reacted: "How does something like this happen? Who decides ?"
Producer and trade business analyst Girish Johar tweeted: "With #FCAT dissolved by Govt, mayb a larger body may come up, setup by Govt, which will not only address censor grievances of films, but raised issues of other content as well..#Online #OTT #Short #SocialMedia..kuchch toh aayega, makers cant afford, nor Govt can't burden courts more."
Before releasing in theatres, every film in India has to be certified by the Central Board of Film Certification or CBFC, which is also often referred to as the Censor Board. However, if any filmmaker is unhappy with a change suggested by the CBFC, they could go and challenge the decision at FCAT.
With FCAT abolished, filmmakers unhappy with CBFC's decision will now have to go to court with grievances.
Films which have been benefitted by FCAT in the recent past, include "Udta Punjab" (2016), "Lipstick Under My Burkha" (2017), "Babumoshai Bandookbaaz" (2017), "Kaalakaandi" (2018) and "Rangeela Raja" (2019) among others.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
