The Central Board of Film Certification has held a board meeting after a gap of six years, and members used the session to question how Revising Committees have been operating. They sought details on who has repeatedly headed panels that review films when an earlier certification decision is challenged.
Why the six-year gap is striking
The latest meeting was the board’s first since 2019, even though the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024 say the board should meet at least once every quarter. That gap raises obvious governance and oversight questions.
What Revising Committees do
A Revising Committee considers a film when the producer or the CBFC is dissatisfied with the Examining Committee’s decision. Because these panels can materially affect certification outcomes, consistency and transparency in who leads them matter to filmmakers.
The board itself has continuity questions
The Indian Express reported that members had not been officially reappointed after their earlier terms expired. The meeting therefore comes amid a broader attempt to regularise procedure under the newer certification rules.
What to watch
Future meetings, panel-composition disclosures and implementation of the 2024 rules will show whether this was a one-off governance reset or the start of more regular board oversight.
Bottom line
Film certification affects creative freedom and commercial release. That makes the process behind the certificate — not only the final rating — a legitimate public-governance issue.
Source: The Indian Express
