What is the CBFC?

C (central) B (board) F (film) C (certification? Censor?) India does not “technically” have a “censor board”. The CBFC exists- Well, CBFC is technically a certification board.

When did it start to censor films? From the time it started certifying films.

CBFC started off as a #censor board, pre-independence, we had regional boards which worked independently under the police chiefs of major cities like Mumbai, Kolkata and Lahore. These boards were formed after the release of India's first feature film Raja Harishchandra(1913). As the #filmindustry grew after this with the release of films like Alam Ara (1931) which was India's first film with sound, Panther Panchali which won 4 oscars and put indian cinema on the global market.

However as the industry grew larger, there was a need for a baseline between the filmmakers and audience in order to regulate the content being produced, and so the Central Board of Film Certification was established in 1952 under the provisions of Cinematograph Act 1952. When CBFC was created it was called the Board of Film Censors. Its powers of certifying a film for public consumption was introduced by way of an amendment in 1959.

While the CBFC cannot censor films, they can withhold the certification until "necessary" revisions are made. They can withhold certification for films if it goes against the interests of the nation, threatens the security of the state or public order, if it is likely to incite the commission of any offense. They recommend changes to be made, and production houses often resubmit the movie with the cuts in order to get their movie certified.

While in certain circumstances, censoring content is required, it shouldn't restrict creative freedom.

Do you think censorship is needed? And to what extent is it necessary? Let us know in the comments below! #films #censorship #creativefreedom #indianfilmindustry #necessary