Chennai, 10 January (H.S.) : Veteran actor-politician Kamal Haasan has issued a significant statement regarding the current state of film certification in India, asserting that public trust is being weakened by a lack of transparency.
Speaking in the context of the ongoing legal row involving the film Jana Nayagan, the actor emphasized that the Constitution of India guarantees freedom of expression which should never be diminished by opacity.
He noted that cinema is a collective effort involving a vast ecosystem of technicians and small businesses whose livelihoods depend on a fair and timely certification process. Haasan called for a principled relook at the Central Board of Film Certification, or CBFC, including the implementation of defined timelines and written justifications for every suggested edit.
The actor's remarks come as the film Jana Nayagan, featuring Thalapathy Vijay, faces significant theatrical delays due to certification hurdles. Although the Madras High Court recently directed the CBFC to issue a U/A sixteen plus certificate, the board immediately challenged the decision, leading to an interim stay.
Producer Venkat K Narayana of KVN Productions stated that the film had been referred to a revising committee following an undisclosed complaint, further complicating the release.
Haasan urged the film industry to unite and engage in constructive dialogue to safeguard creative freedom and uphold constitutional values.
He concluded that such reforms are essential to strengthen democratic institutions and affirm trust in the nation's artists and its people during these challenging times for the industry.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary
