Mumbai, 02 November (H.S.): The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has issued a fresh advisory to filmmakers, making it clear that incomplete films will no longer be accepted for certification.
According to the directive, signed by CBFC Chief Executive Officer Rajendra Singh, filmmakers must ensure that all aspects of a film are fully completed before submitting it for certification. This includes visual effects and graphics, background music, songs and all other technical work. Applications accompanied by unfinished films or rough, incomplete graphics may be rejected or face delays in the certification process.
The Board has further clarified that an application will be accepted only if all the required materials and information have been submitted accurately and in full. The date on which an application is formally accepted will be treated as its official date of receipt.
The CBFC has also clarified its position on film titles. The title mentioned in promotional material or in the certification application will not necessarily be treated as final. The Screening Committee and Revising Committee will retain the authority to review a film's title and recommend changes wherever considered necessary.
The Board has advised producers to apply for certification well in advance of their films' scheduled release dates. It has emphasised that a release date announced in advance by a producer will have no bearing on the certification process, and that films will be certified strictly in accordance with the prescribed rules and procedures.
The CBFC has also cautioned that producers will be solely responsible if a film's release is postponed because of last-minute certification applications or changes required during the review process.
In effect, announcing a release date will no longer be sufficient to place pressure on the certification board to issue a certificate within a particular timeframe. Producers will be expected to complete their films and follow the prescribed certification procedure before planning their theatrical releases.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar