Government notifies the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024 to comprehensively improve the film certification process
Government notifies the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024 to comprehensively improve the film certification process
Pursuant to the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India has notified the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, in supersession of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983. They have been comprehensively overhauled in order to improve and contemporize the entire process of certification of films for public exhibition.
Background:
The Indian film industry is one of the biggest and most globalised industries in the world producing more than 3,000 films annually in more than 40 languages.
Hon’ble Prime Minister has envisioned that India truly possesses immense potential to become the content hub of the world with rich heritage and cultural diversity being India’s strengths.
Hon’ble Minister for Information and Broadcasting carrying forward the vision Hon’ble PM, also recognised the Indian Cinema being a significant contributor to India’s soft power, promoting Indian culture, society, and values globally. The empowerment of Indian Film Industry with Transparency, Ease of Doing Business and its protection from the menace of Privacy, would go a long way in growth of content creation ecosystem in India, and would also help safeguard the interests of all artists and artisans working in the film sector. With this vision the historic amendment of the Cinematograph Act was brought in after 40 years in 2023 and now being fully empowered with the overhauled Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024.
Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024:
These new rules aim to streamline and modernize the film certification process for the digital age, keeping pace with the emerging technologies and advancement in film sector. Ministry & CBFC have undertaken extensive consultations with filmmakers, cinema owners, disability rights organizations, NGOs, film industry bodies, general public and other stakeholders, ensuring an all embracing, all-encompassing and all-inclusive approach, as has been the oft repeated motto of our Hon’ble Prime Minister reflected in his words “sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas & sabka prayas”.
The key aspects of improvements incorporated in the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024 include:
The principle rules were first notified by the Government in 1983 and have been amended from time to time. However, acknowledging the significant advancement in film technology, audience demographics, content distribution methods for last 40 years, the new set of rules with overhaul changes are being introduced to better cater to the ever evolving need of our film industry.
The Government had last year amended the Cinematograph Act, 1952 after a period of almost 40 years to comprehensively address the issues relating to film certification. Notifying the new Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024 compliments that journey of making the certification process simpler, more contemporary and in line with best global practices.
These updated regulations will foster a more efficient, transparent, and inclusive film certification process, supporting the continued growth and success of Indian cinema.