How to Censor a Feature Film India? This article is purposed to explain the process of feature film censoring In India. We hope that, we’d the best explanation here as far as we can. If In doubt, please add it in the comment section below.

A film in India is censored by The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) that working under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.  The CBFC classified films and has given censor certificate on the basis of the Indian Cinematography Act, 1952.

Before skip into the process, there are some things that you know about the Indian Film Censor Board. From time to time, they alter the rules and regulations of film censoring. A recent controversy is, the censor board asks to lift up the cigarette smoking scenes from the films. The new rules are happening when; violations are reported due to the

viswaroopam

influence of films or because of the decision taken by the apex body members. The films that having sex scenes, showing po**ographic subjects, harassment against women and children, animal harms and mocking a religious belief will difficult to get a clean certificate from the Censor Board. A recent example is Kamal Hassan’s Vishwaroopam, was once banned from the theatrical release because of the complaints from the Muslim Community, later it allowed for theatrical release after many alterations and trials.

(A Filmmaker/ Film Producer /an authorised representative can apply for the film censorship. )

The Process of Censoring a feature film In India

Process 1 -Submission of Films

A Film’s running time (including intro and closing credits) 70 Minutes, called as Video version. Likewise, if the length of the film more than 2000 Meters long, then it is categorized as Celluloid version. CBFC’s prescribed film ratings includes U, UA, A and S (See external link 1) Based on the content they will give an appropriate film certificate. In case you think that, they were given an inappropriate film certificate (i.e. your film deserved for U certificate, but they are given U/A certificate) you can claim then until the time you get a right certificate.

Needed Documents

1. Eight Copies of film synopsis written in English, eight copies of credit titles of the film and eight copies of songs of the film with reel number and song lines.
2. The shooting script of the applied film.
3. Reel wise length of the film, witnessed by the Film lab inspector. The lab inspector’s letter statement about the film length, also he/she must confirm that the whole works of the film is completed and it ready for the preview.
4. The previewing charges of the film must pay through two Demand drafts: One demand draft is the certification fee in favour of the designated accounts officer in your local region and the second one is CESS fee (service tax) draft in favour of chairperson, central board of film certification, Mumbai. (See external link 2 for knowing more about the fees for the film certification in India)
5. Add the public clearance certificate (if you filmed in Indian railway wagons, border areas, major cities etc) along with the documents.

(Application Forum Link – External Link 3 )

The head office of CBFC, located at Mumbai. It also had 9 regional centres in Thiruvananthapuram, Delhi, Chennai, Calcutta, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Guwahati.

Additional Info: Before starting the production, register the title of your film before someone grabs it. Similarly, don’t forget to register your film script in Film Writers Association of India.

Process 2-Examination and classification of Films

The assigned supervision inspector, analyze your application and pass the report to the Examination Committee. Again, your application will be previewed by the examination committee for verifying with the primary report. That preview process will take around 8-15 days. Then after, the examination committee forward the report to the chairman.

 Process 3 Sanctioning and certification Of Films

The chairman or his representative reported the status of application to the producer and they also asked to the producer for submit the film in front of CBFC within 14 days.  The selected members of CBFC examine the film from frame to frame, on the basis of Indian Cinematography act (see the external link 4) and issue the censor certificate within 5 days.

That’s all about the process explanation of feature film censoring in India. Have any Doubts? Please ask us.   

Tag: process Of Censoring an indian Film In  India, Indian Censor  Board

External Links

1. Indian Film Rating System
2. Fee for Film Certification
3. Application forms – CBFC
4. Indian Cinematograph Act 1952

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