Pahlaj Nihalani claims he had come up with new rating categories even before Shyam Benegal panel

CBFC chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani; (right) Shyam Benegal

In April, the Shyam Benegal committee-report, submitted to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry as part of a suggested revamp of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), had recommended increasing the number of categories of certification as an amendment of the archaic Cinematography Act of 1952.

Now, CBFC chairman, Pahlaj Nihalani, who in the past has attracted the wrath of filmmakers for his overzealousness in excising 'inappropriate' bits, has claimed that he had suggested upping the certification categories in his letter to the Ministry in February. "My recommendations are attached in the Shyam Benegal Committee report. There, I have stated the reason for the need for more categories. This way, the filmmaker will get a chance to show what he wants to," Nihalani said, adding that certification should vary depending on the subject of the film, treatment and audio-visual content.

"It needs to be done while keeping prevalent global content in mind and [the need to] safeguard creative expression," he said, adding that certification should be termed 'classifications' to protect artistic expressions. He also suggested that the no smoking disclaimer be shown by the exhibitor, not the filmmaker.

Highlighting his suggestions for obtaining the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) when required, Nihalani recommended that international filmmakers be exempted from the need to obtain the permission. However, for Indians shooting films abroad, an NOC must be mandatory.