Censor board says certification process to be further streamlined

The newly constituted censor board, led by chairperson Prasoon Joshi, has decided that the process of certification should be “further streamlined for the benefit of the industry practitioners”, according to a press release. The Central Board of Film Certification members met for the first time on September 11. The board also resolved to hold an interaction with other film industry professionals and seek inputs to make the process of certification “as smooth as possible”, the release said.

The members present at the meeting include actors Gautami Tadimalla, Jeevitha Rajashekar, Vivek Agnihotri and Vidya Balan, directors Naresh Chandra Lal and TS Nagabharna, television writer Mihir Bhuta, National School of Drama director Waman Kendre, pianist Neil Scott Nongkynrih, former national secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party Vani Tripathi Tikoo, and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ideologue Ramesh Patange. “The purpose (of the meeting) is clearly to make things better for all stakeholders where there is mutual respect and collaboration,” Joshi said in the press release.

Joshi replaced the controversial Pahlaj Nihalani as CBFC chairperson in August 2017. Earlier this month, Joshi asked members of the board to refrain from communicating their decisions informally with filmmakers.