Pahlaj Nihalani on 'Padmavati' Row: CBFC certification is only needed for public screenings
| Nov 20, 2017, 12:00 IST
On Sunday, news came out that Prasoon Joshi who is the Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), was reportedly furious with Sanjay Leela Bhansali for screening his film 'Padmavati' to select media houses, without first getting a certification from the CBFC. Prasoon had expressed his disappointment with the filmmaker and 'Padmavati' producers, saying the movie was being screened for the media and getting reviewed on national channels, without CBFC members having seen or certified it, and called it an attempt to subvert the existing norms.
However, in a turn of events, a long-standing CBFC member revealed to a leading entertainment portal that a CBFC certification is only needed when a film has to be publicly exhibited in a cinema hall or other public space. "Even the existing rules governing CBFC's functioning say so," the member said. Former CBFC chairman Pahlaj Nihalani said, "A filmmaker can show his movie to whoever he wants as long as it is his private audience. A CBFC certification is needed when the movie has to be screened has to be publicly screened in a theatre." He further added, "Channels can't do a propaganda on the film that would influence decisions about it."
(Also read: 'Padmavati' team screens film for select media houses without certification; CBFC disappointed)
However, in a turn of events, a long-standing CBFC member revealed to a leading entertainment portal that a CBFC certification is only needed when a film has to be publicly exhibited in a cinema hall or other public space. "Even the existing rules governing CBFC's functioning say so," the member said. Former CBFC chairman Pahlaj Nihalani said, "A filmmaker can show his movie to whoever he wants as long as it is his private audience. A CBFC certification is needed when the movie has to be screened has to be publicly screened in a theatre." He further added, "Channels can't do a propaganda on the film that would influence decisions about it."
(Also read: 'Padmavati' team screens film for select media houses without certification; CBFC disappointed)