April 23, 2010 To Mr. Amitabh Kumar, Director (Films), Ministry o !

n ormation an" #roa"castin$, %hastri #ha&an, 'e& Delhi 110001. Dear %ir, This submission is in response to the Ministry o !n ormation an" #roa"castin$(s notice in)itin$ comments rom the public that &ill be consi"ere" be ore the *inemato$raph #ill 2010 is intro"uce" in +arliament. This "ocument incorporates su$$este" chan$es an" comments e,plainin$ the reasons or the chan$es propose". -e ha)e base" our comments on the "ra t )ersion o the *inemato$raph #ill, 2010 that has been put up on your &ebsite &&&.mib.nic.in. The ollo&in$ is a short summary o our perspecti)e. The *inemato$raph Act is a piece o le$islation that is e,tremely important inso ar as it re$ulates public communication in)ol)in$ citi/ens o !n"ia. 0o& this communication is re$ulate", by &hich authority an" &hat is the e,tent o such re$ulation, these are issues that are o "eep concern to all &ho are intereste" in the unctionin$ o "emocracy in this country. 1a&s relate" to me"ia in !n"ia can be enablin$ in nature an" promote ree"om o speech an" e,pression as lai" "o&n in Art.12 (1)(a) o the *onstitution, or can be restricti)e in nature narro&in$ the scope o the ri$ht to ree"om o speech an" e,pression as per reasonable restrictions. The *inemato$raph Act, 1232, is clearly restricti)e in nature base" on a "eep suspicion o the )isual me"ium an" $roun"e" in colonial history. -hen the Ministry is "ra tin$ a la&, si, "eca"es later, attemptin$ to brin$ it in sync &ith the 4contemporary5, it has to ta6e into account o)er&helmin$ chan$es that ha)e ta6en place both in terms o me"ia technolo$y as &ell as in the attitu"es o the public. For instance, annual 7se, sur)eys( publishe" in ma$a/ines li6e !n"ia To"ay an" 8utloo6 attest to the o)er&helmin$ chan$es in !n"ian mi""le class attitu"es an" an increasin$ &illin$ness to tal6 about their se, li)es in a non 9u"$mental manner. 8ne o the impacts o the $lobalisation o the !n"ian economy an" its emer$in$ status as a po&er ul &orl" economy has been a $lobalisation o "esire in the country, an" a much reer circulation o in ormation an" ima$es relate" to se, an" se,uality. :eneric notions o 7obscenity( an" 7morality( use" in this #ill "o not re lect on the chan$es in the manner in &hich the 9u"iciary has "e ine" these terms in recent times &ith respect to ilm. *ontemporary stu"ies in the area o me"ia, )isual an" spectatorship stu"ies ha)e sho&n that "iscre"ite" earlier 7Direct !mpact( theories an" ha)e sho&n that there is ar more comple, interaction bet&een the spectator an" the ima$e than &as earlier belie)e". These theories contest the claim that there is a "irect correlation bet&een au"iences an" their beha)iour, the lo$ic that is at the root o the manner in &hich le$islations li6e this "ra t #ill are rame". #esi"es, &ith technolo$y becomin$ ubi;uitous, our a)enues o e,perience ha)e also increase" concomitantly, an" as such, puttin$ such restrictions on one me"ium, that is ilms, is un air to ilmma6ers, artistes an" au"iences as pro essionals an" as citi/ens. 8ne "irect conse;uence o 9u"$in$ t&enty irst century ilms on nineteenth century stan"ar"s &oul" be a hea)y bur"en o liti$ation an" the $o)ernment. -ith the chan$e in thin6in$ in society an" the *ourts, it &oul" also be an untenable position or the $o)ernment to ta6e.

!t is pertinent to point out here that 7incitin$ )iolence( or 7promotin$ obscenity(, both o &hich are cate$ories use" to restrict e,hibition un"er this Act are alrea"y "e ine" as o ences un"er the !n"ian +enal *o"e an" other la&s. -hile certi ication o ilms as bein$ suitable or "i erent a$es "oes ha)e its 9usti ications, implicit bannin$ o ilms throu$h non<certi ication shoul" pre erably be "one a&ay &ith, or ti$htly curtaile". 8ther countries such as the =nite" %tates ollo& a system o censorship, &hich is lar$ely sel < re$ulate" by the ilm in"ustry itsel (the Motion +icture Association o America), an" =% criminal la& comes into orce i a speci ic o ence is committe" throu$h the e,hibition o a ilm. -e note that in the *inemato$raph #ill, the term 4#oar" o Film *ensors5, &hich ha" been retaine" in the e,istin$ *inemato$raph Act as a section hea"in$, is no lon$er use". -hile this is a &elcome chan$e in nomenclature, the contents o the "ra t #ill "o not seem to re lect this chan$e. The propose" "ra t la& has not o)erhaule" the e,istin$ la&, choosin$ instea" to ma6e a e& super icial chan$es. The Ministry shoul" mo)e to&ar"s thin6in$ o a *inemato$raph Act or the 21st an" not the 12th century, in &hich case &hat &oul" be re;uire" or it to be a la& that actually promotes cinema rather than to continue to restrict it. The paternalistic lo$ic that 7)ulnerable au"iences( nee" to be protecte" rom ima$es o )iolence, nu"ity, obscenity etc is completely irrational &hen au"iences are encounterin$ such ima$es on a routine basis on tele)ision, )i"eo, the !nternet, an" a host o other ne& technolo$ies that are commonly use" in !n"ia to"ay. 1a&s that are meant to promote speech an" minority ri$hts ha)e to be teste" on &hether they succee" in substance an" in proce"ure. The presence o structural barriers is o ten &hat hin"ers the ri$ht to e,ercise ones ree speech ri$hts. !n the present case the )arious structural hin"rances that e,ist &ithin the policy seems to su$$est that ilm is still bein$ treate" throu$h a prism o suspicion, rather than as an enablin$ me"ium or the promotion o speech. These are mani est or instance in the ollo&in$ eatures o the la& &hich this "ra t le$islation has "one nothin$ about. 1. The propose" #ill ma6es no "istinction bet&een 7public( an" 7pri)ate( e,hibitions an" "oes not attempt to "e ine &hat constitutes a 7public( or 7pri)ate( e,hibition. !nstea", the propose" #ill has put in place such a broa" "e inition o 7e,hibition(, that it &ill impossible to en orce $i)en the ubi;uitous nature o the )isual me"ium to"ay an" the manner in &hich such technolo$ies ha)e become personali/e". %uch a broa" "e inition o e,hibition inclu"es e"ucational institutions, in"epen"ent cultural centers, e,hibitions meant or scienti ic purposes etc. Further, this "e inition o 7e,hibition( $oes a$ainst the %upreme *ourt(s interpretation o the term, &hich is much more restricti)e. The Ministry shoul" "istin$uish bet&een 7public( an" 7pri)ate( e,hibitions an" "e ine these terms in consultation &ith sta6ehol"ers, especially ilmma6ers. 2. The propose" #ill "oes not "i erentiate at all bet&een ictional an" non< ictional ilms such as "ocumentaries. Documentaries hi$hli$ht issues, some o &hich &ill be necessarily contro)ersial, but &hich cannot be i$nore". A "ebate on such issues is necessary, an" $i)in$ the *#F* the ri$ht to re$ulate such non< ictional ilms means a "irect restriction on political "ebate. Another ma9or concern is re$ar"in$ the criminali/ation o the act o unauthori/e" copyin$ o a ne$ati)e or o a ilm. !t must be pointe" out that the act o unauthori/e" copyin$ has been criminali/e" by the *opyri$ht Act, an" is sub9ect to the e,ceptions pro)i"e" therein as &ell as the principles $o)ernin$ copyri$ht la&. !ncorporation o unauthori/e" copyin$ as an o ence un"er the propose" *inemato$raph Act &oul" hopelessly con use the la& re$ar"in$ copyri$ht in !n"ia by intro"ucin$ a "uplicate penalty or )iolation o copyri$ht.

-hile &e note an" ac6no&le"$e that steps ha)e been ta6en, such as the ri$ht o an applicant to be hear" be ore an or"er is passe", to ensure that arbitrariness as a)oi"e" in the process, &e &oul" li6e the Ministry to seriously reassess its current )ersion o the #ill in the li$ht o our su$$estions. Most importantly, it is absolutely )ital that the Ministry initiate &i"e<ran$in$ consultations &ith sta6ehol"ers on the nature o chan$es that are re;uire" to ma6e the Act contemporary. There ha)e alrea"y been su$$estions rom persons li6e the ormer *hairperson o the *ensor #oar", Mr. >i9ay Anan" on re ormin$ the censorship re$ime that nee" to be ta6en seriously. =nless the Ministry carries out a comprehensi)e an" consultati)e process o re"ra tin$ the current *inemato$raph Act to ma6e it contemporary an" in tune &ith chan$e" times, &e &ill continue to ha)e a mo"i ie" le$islation that &ill continue to be restricti)e an" completely out o tune &ith contemporary realities. This submission has been "ra te" at the Alternati)e 1a& Forum (#an$alore) by 1a&rence 1ian$, %i""harth 'arrain an" %arim 'a)e". The Alternati)e 1a& Forum is an or$ani/ation that pro)i"es le$al ser)ices an" &or6s on le$al research an" a")ocacy aroun" a ran$e o public interest matters inclu"in$ on matters relate" to me"ia la&s an" censorship. (For more in ormation, see &&&.altla& orum.or$). This submission has been en"orse" by the ollo&in$ $roups an" in"i)i"uals. 1ist o 8r$anisations an" :roups ?n"orsin$ This %ubmission. >i6alp (Films or Free"om) @ >i6alp (Films or Free"om) is a net&or6 o o)er 200 "ocumentary ilmma6ers an" others committe" to a""ressin$ issues o censorship< &hether by the state or sectarian interests. >i6alp &as born out o nation<&i"e protests a$ainst an attempt at censorship in the Mumbai ilm esti)al, 200A. A list o >i6alp members has been pro)i"e" in Annexure 1 to the submission. Film -riters Association (F-A)< The Film -riters Association is the tra"e union o screen&riters rom -estern !n"ia an" has a current membership o o)er B300 &riters. ?stablishe" in 1231 by the lea"in$ &riters o that era, it has ser)e" as bo"y that represents &riters in the ilm in"ustry, ta6in$ up issues o &ritersC ri$hts. A list o the members o the ?,ecuti)e *ouncil o the F-A has been pro)i"e" in Annexure 2. *entre or *ulture, Me"ia D :o)ernance (**M:), Eamia Millia !slamia, 'e& Delhi (http.FF&&&.9mi.nic.inFccm$Fin"e,.html) *entre or the %tu"y o *ulture an" %ociety, (*%*%) #an$alore. (&&&.cscsarchi)e.or$) :ora6hpur Film %ociety. (&&&.$ora6hpur ilm esti)al.blo$spot.com) #an$alore Film %ociety. (http.FF&&&."eep ocus.inFb sF) +e"estrian +ictures, #an$alore. (http.FFpe"estrianpictures.&or"press.comF) Maraa (Me"ia *ollecti)e), #an$alore. (&&&.maraa.in) 1ist o !n"i)i"uals ?n"orsin$ this %ubmission Deepa Dhanra9, ilmma6er, #an$alore Ashish Ga9a"hya6sha, %enior Fello&, *entre or the %tu"y o *ulture an" %ociety (*%*%), #an$alore. An9ali Monteiro, 1ecturer, *entre or Me"ia an" *ultural %tu"ies, Tata !nstitute o %ocial %tu"ies (T!%%), Mumbai. K.+. Eayashan6ar, 1ecturer, *entre or Me"ia an" *ultural %tu"ies, Tata !nstitute o %ocial %tu"ies (T!%%), Mumbai. Gan9ani Ma/um"ar, %chool o Arts an" Aesthetics, Ea&aharlal 1al 'ehru =ni)ersity, 'e& Delhi

%hohini :hosh, +ro essor, A.E. K. Mass *ommunications Gesearch *entre, Eamia Millia !slamia, 'e& Delhi. %abeena :a"iho6e, Assistant +ro essor A.E. Ki"&ai Mass *ommunications Gesearch *entre, Eamia Millia !slamia, 'e& Delhi. Ma"husree Dutta, ?,ecuti)e Director, Ma9lis, Mumbai. %an9ay Eoshi, *on)ener, :ora6hpur Film Festi)al. Amar Kan&ar, ilmma6er, 'e& Delhi. Gahul Goy, ilmma6er 'e& Delhi. %an9ay Ka6, ilmma6er, 'e& Delhi. %a"anan" Menon, cultural critic an" commentator. %aba Di&an, ilmma6er 'e& Delhi. #ina +aul, ilmma6er, Thiru)ananthapuram. +aromita >ohra, ilmma6er, Mumbai. G.>. Gamani, ilmma6er, *hennai. %ushma >eerappa, ilmma6er, #an$alore. %&athi Dan"e6ar, ilmma6er, #an$alore. :autam %onti, ilmma6er, #an$alore. Ammu Eoseph, senior 9ournalist, #an$alore. Eyoti +un&ani, senior 9ournalist, Mumbai. %ameera Khan, senior 9ournalist, Mumbai. 1a,mi Murthy, senior 9ournalist, Delhi.

Colour and Format Key

BLACK TEXT re ers to te,t o the propose" *inemato$raph #ill. H#1=? T?ITJ re ers to the te,t o the *inemato$raph #ill that nee"s to be amen"e" or "elete". G?D T?IT re ers to our comments an" recommen"ations.

T0? *!'?MAT8:GA+0 #!11, 2010 A #!11 to ma6e pro)ision or the sanctionin$ o cinemato$raph ilms or e,hibition an" or re$ulatin$ e,hibitions by means o cinemato$raphs an" or matters connecte" there&ith or inci"ental thereto. #e it enacte" by +arliament in the %i,tieth Kear o the Gepublic o !n"ia as ollo&s.< +AGT @ ! +G?1!M!'AGK 1. %hort Title, e,tent an" commencement (1) This Act may be calle" the *inemato$raph Act, 2010 (2) !t e,ten"s to the &hole o !n"ia. +ro)i"e" that +art !> o the Act e,ten"s to the =nion territories only. (3) !t shall come into orce on such "ate as the *entral :o)ernment may, by noti ication in the 8 icial :a/ette, appoint. 2. De initions @ !n this Act, unless the conte,t other&ise re;uires @

a) 4a"ult5 means person &ho has complete" his ei$hteenth yearL b) 4authori/e" o icer5 means, &ithin his local limits o 9uris"iction, < (i) a District Ma$istrateL or (ii) a %ub<"i)isional Ma$istrateL or (iii) a *ommissioner o +olice, an" inclu"es any other o icer noti ie" in the 8 icial :a/ette, by the *entral :o)ernment or the %tate :o)ernment, to be an authori/e" o icer or such local limits o 9uris"iction as may be "etermine" by that :o)ernmentL (c) 4#oar"5 means the *entral#oar" o Film *erti ication constitute" by the *entral :o)ernment un"er section AL (") 4*erti icate5 means the certi icate $rante" by the #oar" un"er section ML (e) 4*inemato$raph5 means any apparatus, pro"uct or "e)ice, analo$ue or "i$ital or any other technolo$y, use" or representation o mo)in$ pictures or series o pictures. +ro)i"e" that the *entral :o)ernment may, by noti ication in the 8 icial :a/ette, either inclu"e or e,clu"e any such apparatus or "e)ice rom the pur)ie& o this "e initionL ( ) 4?,hibition5 means "isplay o a cinemato$raph ilm or ma6in$ a)ailable a cinemato$raph ilm to persons not "irectly connecte" &ith the pro"uction, "istribution, promotion or certi ication o that ilmL H8ur Gecommen"ationJ @ This "e inition is to be suitably amen"e" to restrict its "e inition o 7e,hibition(. *omment. The %upreme *ourt has hel" in Directorate of Film Festivals & Ors ).Gaurav Ashwin Jain N200BO A %** B3B that 4The re;uirement un"er sections A an" 3A o the Act relatin$ to certi ication by the #oar", &here the ilm is inten"e" or public e,hibition, by applyin$ the $ui"ance principles set out in section 3#, is a reasonable restriction on the e,ercise o the sai" ri$ht o speech an" e,pression contemplate" un"er Article 12(2), an" there ore, constitutional5. As such, it is only reasonable restriction on public e,hibition that has been reco$ni/e" as constitutional &hereas restrictions on pri)ate e,hibition "o not ha)e constitutional sanction. A "istinction coul" also be ma"e re$ar"in$ 7 or pro it( an" 7non< pro it( e,hibitions. ($) 4 ilm5 means a cinemato$raph ilmL

(h) 4person5 inclu"es any company or association or bo"y o persons &hether incorporate" or notL (i) 4place5 inclu"es a house, buil"in$, tent an" any "escription o transport, &hether by sea, lan" or airL H8ur Gecommen"ationJ @ This section to be suitably restricte" to 7e,hibitions &hich are in places primarily inten"e" or the e,hibition o ilms or pro it e,clu"in$ e"ucational institutions, cultural institutions, archi)es an" libraries.

8ur *omment. The term place nee"s to be restricte" 6eepin$ in min" the "i erentiation bet&een 7public( an" 7pri)ate( e,hibition as pointe" out in the pre)ious comment. As the "e inition stan"s, i a person ma6es a ilm about the history o one(s nei$hbourhoo" an" &ishes to ha)e a screenin$ or one(s nei$hbours in his house or in a nei$hbourhoo" au"itorium, such a ilm &oul" come un"er the pur)ie& o the *inemato$raph Act. %urely, such constriction o e,pression cannot be the purpose o this Act, nor &oul" it be constitutionally permitte" or practically easible. As such, the "e inition o place shoul" be restricte" only to those places &hose primary purpose is the e,hibition o cinemato$raph ilms &ith speci ic e,ceptions in case o e"ucational institutions, archi)es an" libraries. (9) 4prescribe"5 means prescribe" by Gules ma"e un"er the ActL (6) 4re$ional o icer5 means a re$ional o icer appointe" by the *entral :o)ernment un"er section B an" inclu"es an a""itional re$ional o icer an" an assistant re$ional o icerL (l) 4Tribunal5 means the Film *erti ication Appellate Tribunal constitute" un"er section 11.

3. *onstruction o re erences to any la& not in orce or any unctionary not in e,istence in the %tate o Eammu an" Kashmir @ Any re erence in this Act to any la& &hich is not in orce, or any unctionary not in e,istence, in the %tate o Eammu an" Kashmir, shall, in relation to that %tate be construe" as a re erence to the correspon"in$ la& in orce, or to the correspon"in$ unctionary in e,istence, in that %tate.

+AGT !!

*?GT!F!*AT!8' 8F F!1M% F8G +=#1!* ?I0!#!T!8'

A. *entral #oar" o Film *erti ication.< (1) For the purpose o sanctionin$ ilms or e,hibition, the *entral :o)ernment may, by noti ication in the 8 icial :a/ette, constitute a #oar" to be calle" the *entral #oar" o Film *erti ication, &hich shall consist o a *hairperson an" not less than t&el)e an" not more than t&enty< i)e other members to be appointe" by the *entral :o)ernment. +ro)i"e" that at least one<thir" o the members o the #oar" shall be &omenL (2) The *hairperson o the #oar" shall be a person o eminence in public li e an", in the opinion o the *entral :o)ernment, ;uali ie" to 9u"$e the e ect o ilms on the publicL (3) The other members o the #oar" shall be persons &ho, by reasons o their e,perience, ;uali ication or pro ession in the iel" o art, cinema, "rama, la&, literature, social science, me"ia, e"ucation or per ormin$ arts or by reason o eminence in public li e an" are, in the opinion o the *entral :o)ernment, ;uali ie" to 9u"$e the e ect o ilms on the publicL (A) The *hairperson o the #oar" shall recei)e such salary an" allo&ances as may be "etermine" by the *entral :o)ernment an" the other members shall recei)e such allo&ances or ees or atten"in$ the meetin$s o the #oar" as may be prescribe". (3) The other terms an" con"itions o ser)ice o the members o the #oar" shall be such as may be prescribe".

H8ur Gecommen"ationJ @ This section to be suitably amen"e". *omment. There nee"s to be a more scienti ic an" rational metho" o "iscernin$ this instea" o lea)in$ it up to a $roup o in"i)i"uals. This coul" be achie)e" by speci yin$ that past &inners o national ilm a&ar"s, or instance, &oul" be consi"ere" or a i,e" number o places on the #oar". The process or selection nee"s to be lai" "o&n here, &ith a pro)ision or public consultation as this is matter o consi"erable public importance. =nli6e other appointments by the :o)ernment, in this area o ilm certi ication there are no e,perts &ho can be appointe" at the sole "iscretion o the :o)ernment. %ince the re;uirement is or people &ho &oul" be able to 9u"$e &hether a ilm alls a oul o la&s in orce or o constitutional morality, public consultation is necessary to ensure that the #oar" is not pac6e" &ith people &ho &oul" ha)e a "e inite a$en"a in min". +erhaps the pattern o membership o the #oar" coul" also be clearly lai" "o&n.

3. +roce"ure an" po&ers o the #oar".< (1) The #oar" shall be $ui"e" by the principles o natural 9ustice or sanctionin$ o ilms or public e,hibition. (2) The #oar" shall ha)e the po&ers to re)ie& its o&n "ecisions. P. ?,amination o ilms.@ (1) Any person "esirin$ to e,hibit any ilm shall in the prescribe" manner ma6e an application, accompanie" by prescribe" ee, to the #oar" or a certi icate in respect thereo , an" the #oar" may, a ter e,aminin$ or ha)in$ the ilm e,amine" in the prescribe" manner, < (i) sanction the ilm or unrestricte" e,hibitionL or (ii) ha)in$ re$ar" to any material in the ilm, i the #oar" is o the opinion that the ilm is suitable or )ie&in$ by chil"ren &ho ha)e complete" t&el)e years o a$e the #oar" may sanction the ilm or such e,hibitionL or (iii) ha)in$ re$ar" to any material in the ilm, i the #oar" is o the opinion that the ilm is suitable or )ie&in$ by chil"ren &ho ha)e complete" i teen years o a$e the #oar" may sanction the ilm or such e,hibitionL or (i)) sanction the ilm or e,hibition restricte" to a"ultsL or ()) sanction the ilm or e,hibition restricte" to members o any pro ession or any class o persons, ha)in$ re$ar" to the nature, content an" theme o the ilmL or ()i) "irect the applicant to carry out such e,cisions or mo"i ications in the ilm as it thin6s necessary be ore sanctionin$ the ilm or e,hibition un"er any o the ore$oin$ clausesL or H8ur Gecommen"ationJ @ *han$e the &or" 7"irect( to 7re;uest(.

()ii) re use to sanction the ilm or e,hibition. H8ur Gecommen"ationJ @ Delete sub section ()ii) *omment. Ge usal to pro)i"e a certi icate shoul" happen only &hen there is clear e)i"ence o an actual commission o o ence, an" not merely because there is a ear that the ilm(s messa$e &ill be unpopular. As has been hel" in by the Delhi 0i$h *ourt in M.F. Hussain ). Raj Kumar Pan e! (200M *ri1E A10B), 4?)ery time an artist portrays somethin$ "i erent, somethin$ &hich is an unpopular )ie& point, it may accompany "iscom ort an" unpleasantness but that in itsel cannot be a $roun" to curb the artistic ree"om an" ;uic6ly $o on to label it as obscene.5 The #oar" cannot be $i)en a blan6et po&er o re usal

simply on the basis o a matter o opinion. ! nee" be, as mentione" earlier, re usal to $rant certi icate shoul" ta6e place only in case an o ence has been committe" in ma6in$ the ilm itsel .

(2) 'o action un"er clause (i) to clause ()ii) o sub<section (1) shall be ta6en by the #oar" &ithout $i)in$ an opportunity o bein$ hear" to the person concerne". H8ur Gecommen"ationJ @ !nsert sub section (3) that &ill intro"uce a ma,imum time limit or the #oar" to certi y the ilm *omment. Keepin$ a ilm pen"in$ or a lon$ time &ith the #oar" can lea" to ma9or losses to pro"ucers an" ilm<ma6ers. To streamline the process an" to ensure that "ecisions are ta6en in a time<boun" manner &e ma6e this recommen"ation.

B. A")isory panels. @ (1) For the purpose o enablin$ the #oar" to e iciently "ischar$e its unctions un"er this Act, the *entral :o)ernment may establish at such re$ional centre as it thin6s it, a")isory panels each o &hich shall consist o such number o persons, bein$ persons ;uali ie" in the opinion o the *entral :o)ernment to 9u"$e the e ect o ilms on the public, as the *entral :o)ernment may thin6 it to appoint thereto. H8ur Gecommen"ationJ @This section nee"s to be suitably amen"e". *omments. There nee"s to be transparency in the process by &hich members o the a")isory panel are selecte". Details relate" to the ;uali ications an" rationale or choosin$ these members shoul" be ma"e a)ailable to the public. !t cannot be le t to the &hims an" ancy o the *entral :o)ernment. There has to be a mechanism to ensure the accountability o the members o the A")isory +anels. +ro)i"e" that the *entral :o)ernment may prescribe a""itional ;uali ications or appointment as a Member o any A")isory +anel. +ro)i"e" urther that at least one<thir" members on an a")isory panel shall be &omen. (2) At each re$ional center there shall be as many re$ional o icers as the *entral :o)ernment may thin6 it to appoint, an" Gules ma"e in this behal may pro)i"e or the association o re$ional o icers in the e,amination o ilms. (3) The #oar" may consult in such manner, as may be prescribe", any a")isory panel in respect o any ilm or &hich an application or a certi icate has been ma"e. (A) !t shall be the "uty o e)ery such a")isory panel &hether actin$ as a bo"y or in committees as may be pro)i"e" in the rules ma"e in this behal to e,amine the ilm an" to ma6e such recommen"ations to the #oar" as it thin6s it. (3) The members o the a")isory panel shall not be entitle" to any salary but shall recei)e such ees or allo&ances as may be prescribe". M. *erti ication o ilms. @ (1) ! , a ter e,aminin$ a ilm or ha)in$ it e,amine" in the prescribe" manner, the #oar" consi"ers that< (a) the ilm is suitable or unrestricte" e,hibition, it shall $rant to the person applyin$ or certi icate in respect o the ilm a 4=5 certi icate an" cause the ilm to be so mar6e" in the prescribe" mannerL or (b) the ilm is suitable or )ie&in$ by chil"ren &ho ha)e complete" t&el)e years o a$e it shall $rant to the person applyin$ or certi icate in respect o the ilm 712Q( certi icate an" cause the ilm to be so mar6e" in the prescribe" manner L or (c) ha)in$ re$ar" to any material in the ilm, i the #oar" is o the opinion that the ilm is suitable or )ie&in$ by chil"ren &ho ha)e complete" i teen years o a$e, it shall $rant to the person applyin$ or certi icate in respect o the ilm a 413Q5 certi icate an" cause the ilm to be so mar6e" in the prescribe" manner L or

(") the ilm is suitable or e,hibition restricte" to a"ults, it shall $rant to the person applyin$ or certi icate in respect o the ilm an 4A5 certi icate an" cause the ilm to be so mar6e" in the prescribe" mannerL or (e) the ilm is suitable or e,hibition restricte" to members o any pro ession or any class o person, it shall $rant to the person applyin$ or a certi icate in respect o the ilm a 4%5 certi icate an" cause the ilm to be so mar6e" in the prescribe" manner. +ro)i"e" that the applicant or the certi icate, any "istributor or e,hibitor or any other person to &hom the ri$hts in the ilm ha)e passe" shall not be liable or punishment un"er any la& relatin$ to obscenity in respect o any matter containe" in the ilm or &hich certi icate has been $rante" un"er clause (a) or clause (b) or clause (c) or clause (") or clause (e). +ro)i"e" urther that i the applicant or the certi icate in %ection P is the pro"ucer, as "e ine" in %ection 2 (uu) o The *opyri$ht Act, 123B, then the certi icate $rante" to him un"er this section shall be "eeme" to be the e)i"ence o copyri$ht o&ne" by him in respect o the cinemato$raph ilm. +ro)i"e" urther that the certi icates o the ilms certi ie" by the #oar" be ore the "ate o comin$ into orce o this Act shall remain )ali". (2) -here the #oar" passes an or"er @ (a) re usin$ to $rant a certi icateL or H8ur Gecommen"ationJ @ Delete this pro)ision to 6eep in tune &ith pre)ious recommen"e" chan$es. *omment. -e are o the opinion that the *#F* shoul" not ha)e the po&er to re use a certi icate 6eepin$ in min" the un"amental ri$ht o ree"om o speech an" e,pression. 0o&e)er, &e &oul" li6e to emphasise here that e)en i the ri$ht to re use a certi icate is retaine" by the *#F*, such a ri$ht shoul" not e,ten" to 7non< ictional( ilms. !n case o 7non< ictional( ilms the notions o prurient ob9ecti)es or interests "o not arise, an" un ettere" public "ebate on issues cannot but be in the national interest, apart rom bein$ the un"amental ri$ht o e)ery citi/en o !n"ia. -e &oul" also li6e to point out that allo&in$ non< ictional ilms &oul" not e)en be a "an$er to security interests, as compromisin$ the security o the country or state secrets ha)e alrea"y been criminalise" un"er rele)ant statutes. As such, 6eepin$ 7non< ictional( ilms out o the pur)ie& o the po&er o the *#F* to re use certi ication shoul" not be a problem at all. (b) $rantin$ only a 412Q5 certi icateL or R (c) $rantin$ only a 413Q5L or (") $rantin$ an 4A5 certi icateL or (e) $rantin$ 4%5 certi icateL or ( ) "irectin$ the applicant to carry out any e,cision or mo"i icationsL H8ur Gecommen"ationJ @ *han$e the &or" 7"irectin$( to 7re;uestin$( *omment. !n li$ht o our opposition to the *#F* man"ate" censorship, &e recommen" this chan$e, an" &e &oul" li6e to reiterate our stan" that 7non< iction( ilms shoul" be 6ept outsi"e the pur)ie& o such censorship. it shall recor" in the or"er, the reasons or "oin$ so. (3) A certi icate $rante" or an or"er re usin$ to $rant a certi icate in respect o any ilm shall be publishe" by the #oar" in the 8 icial $a/ette o !n"iaL (A) %ub9ect to the other pro)isions containe" in this Act, a certi icate $rante" or a ilm by the #oar" un"er this section shall be )ali" throu$hout !n"ia or all ormats or $au$es o that ilm e,cept that a certi icate issue" or release o a ilm on )i"eo ormat shall not be )ali" or its theatrical release. H8ur Gecommen"ationJ. To be suitably amen"e" an" ne& sub<section to be a""e" &hich states that the censor certi icate once $i)en &oul" be applicable to shorter )ersions, subtitle" or other lan$ua$e ormats o the ilm(.

*omment. The censor certi ication shoul" apply across the boar" to shorter )ersions, subtitle" or other lan$ua$e ormats to a)oi" unnecessary "uplication o the process o certi ication that &ill in)ol)e lar$e costs an" enormous amount o time an" e ort on the part o ilmma6ers, an" an a""e" bur"en to the *#F*. The *inemato$raph #ill shoul" be an enablin$ le$islation an" $et ri" o such structural hin"rances to ree speech. As such, to a)oi" situations &here the ilm has been certi ie" by the *#F*, but the ilm< ma6ers are orce" to approach the *#F* a$ain or release in a "i erent ormat, or in a "i erent lan$ua$e, or &ith subtitles, as the case may be, the a""e" pro)iso as su$$este" abo)e &oul" $o a lon$ &ay in rationalisin$ the process o certi ication.

+ro)i"e" that a resh application shall be ma"e by an applicant or chan$e in the cate$ory o certi icate alrea"y $rante" an" on receipt o such an application the #oar" shall process an" "eci"e such application treatin$ it as a resh application. H*ommentJ. -ill the same members &ho irst certi ie" the ilm be ratin$ the ilm a$ain, or &oul" "i erent members loo6 at the ilm in case o such a resh applicationS -e thin6 a clari ication is re;uire". 2. +rinciples or $ui"ance in certi yin$ ilms. @ (1) A ilm shall not be sanctione" or e,hibition i , in the opinion o the authority competent to $rant the certi icate, the ilm or any part o it is a$ainst the interest o the so)erei$nty an" inte$rity o !n"ia, the security o the %tate, rien"ly relations &ith orei$n %tates, public or"er, "ecency or morality, or in)ol)es "e amation or contempt o court or is li6ely to incite the commission o any o ence. H8ur Gecommen"ationJ @ 4This part o the section be "elete". This section be suitably amen"e". *omment. 1a&s relate" to me"ia in !n"ia can be enablin$ in nature an" promote ree"om o speech an" e,pression as lai" "o&n in Art.12(1)(a) or be restricti)e in nature narro&in$ the scope o the ri$ht to ree"om o speech an" e,pression as per reasonable restrictions. The *inemato$raph Act, 1232, is clearly restricti)e in nature base" on a "eep suspicion o the )isual me"ium an" $roun"e" in colonial history. -hen the Ministry is "ra tin$ a la&, si, "eca"es later, attemptin$ to brin$ it in sync &ith the 4contemporary5, it has to ta6e into account o)er&helmin$ chan$es that ha)e ta6en place both in terms o me"ia technolo$y as &ell as in the attitu"es o the public. -e thin6 that a term li6e 7security o the state( is too )a$ue, broa" an" prone to misuse. The terms 7"ecency( an" 7morality( nee" not be liste" here as these are sub9ecti)e matters, an" coul" lea" to "enial o the ri$ht to ree speech base" on a leetin$ sentiment. *onstitutional morality, as re erre" to in Article 12 (2) o the *onstitution, is "i erent rom public "ecency or morality as public perceptions are e)er<chan$in$ an" cannot be the yar"stic6 or restrictin$ the un"amental ri$ht o ree"om o speech an" e,pression. Further, public or"er as a $roun" or restrictin$ ree"om o speech is too nebulous a concept, especially as incitement to commission o an o ence has been incorporate" as a separate $ui"in$ principle. !n the contemporary conte,t the relationship bet&een society an" the $o)ernment is "i erent rom the time &hen 7public or"er( &as intro"uce" as a restriction on the ree"om o speech an" e,pression. =nless a ilm is clearly "esi$ne" or inten"e" to incite hate crimes, or any other crime, it shoul" not be open or the $o)ernment to ban a ilm on the basis o sub9ecti)e consi"erations o 7public or"er(, as such an action &oul" un"ermine the constitutional relationship bet&een the people an" the $o)ernment, by pro)i"in$ the $o)ernment a ;uasi< parental role o)er ci)il society. -e &oul" li6e to emphasise that the $roun"s or restrictions on Article 12(1)(a) o the *onstitution o !n"ia, enumerate" in Article 12 (2) are $roun"s on &hich le$islati)e bo"ies, &hether they be +arliament or state 1e$islati)e Assemblies, may ma6e la&s or such purpose. The ri$ht o ree"om o speech an" e,pression, by )irtue o bein$ a un"amental ri$ht is )ery &i"e an" cannot be curtaile" by an e,ecuti)e authority li6e the *entral #oar" o Film *erti ication, on a sub9ecti)e basis. ! complete "iscretion &ere allo&e" to the e,ecuti)e to "eci"e &hat the restrictions liste" in Article 12 (2) o the *onstitution, it &oul" amount to usurpation o the po&ers o +arliament. The Delhi 0i$h *ourt in "a# Foun ation ). Govt. of "$% & Ors. (&'(' $ri)J *+) has obser)e", 4+opular morality, as "istinct rom a constitutional morality "eri)e" rom constitutional )alues, is base" on shi tin$ an" sub9ectin$ notions o ri$ht an" &ron$. ! there is any type o TmoralityT that can pass the test o compellin$ state interest, it must be TconstitutionalT morality an" not public morality. This aspect o constitutional morality &as stron$ly insiste" upon by Dr. Ambe"6ar in the *onstituent Assembly.5 The act is that the !n"ia o to"ay is not the !n"ia o 1232. For instance, the %upreme *ourt ha" a irme" restrictions on publication o the no)el, 71a"y *hatterley(s 1o)er( on ollo&in$ the test lai" "o&n by an ?n$lish 9u"$e in the nineteenth century (the 0ic6lin test) T. . . . . ! thin6 the test o obscenity is this,

&hether the ten"ency o the matter char$e" as obscenity is to "epra)e an" corrupt those &hose min"s are open to such immoral in luences, an" into &hose han"s a publication o this sort may all . . . . it is ;uite certain that it &oul" su$$est to the min"s o the youn$ o either se,, or e)en to persons o more a")ance" years, thou$hts o a most impure an" libi"inous character.T ( Ranjit , eshi ). -tate of Maharashtra A!G 12P3 %* MM1). !n a recent 9u"$ment, on the other han", &hich &as passe" in 200P ( Aja! Goswami ). ,nion of .n ia /&''01(-$$(+2) the %upreme *ourt has hel", 4&e belie)e that ertile ima$ination o anybo"y especially o minors shoul" not be a matter that shoul" be a$itate" in the court o la&5. The %upreme *ourt has thus reco$nise" the chan$in$ mores o society, e)i"ence" in many &ays, in the literature that is publicly a)ailable, in ne&spapers an", ma$a/ines. For instance, annual 7se, sur)eys( publishe" in ma$a/ines li6e !n"ia To"ay an" 8utloo6 attest to the o)er&helmin$ chan$es in !n"ian mi""le class attitu"es an" an increasin$ &illin$ness to tal6 about their se, li)es in a non 9u"$emental manner. 8ne o the impacts o the $lobalisation o the !n"ian economy an" its emer$in$ status as a po&er ul &orl" economy has been a $lobalisation o "esire in the country, an" a much reer circulation o in ormation an" ima$es relate" to se, an" se,uality. :eneric notions o 7obscenity( an" 7morality( use" in this #ill "o not re lect on the chan$es in the manner in &hich the 9u"iciary has "e ine" these terms in recent times &ith respect to ilm. -ith technolo$y becomin$ ubi;uitous our a)enues o e,perience ha)e also increase" concomitantly, an" as such, puttin$ such restrictions on one me"ium, that is ilms, is un air to ilmma6ers, artistes an" au"iences as pro essionals an" as citi/ens. 8ne "irect conse;uence o 9u"$in$ t&enty irst century ilms on nineteenth century stan"ar"s &oul" be a hea)y bur"en o liti$ation on the $o)ernment. -ith the chan$e in thin6in$ in society an" the *ourts, it &oul" also be an untenable position or the $o)ernment to ta6e. (2) %ub9ect to the pro)isions containe" in sub<section (1), the *entral :o)ernment may issue such "irections as it may thin6 it settin$ out the principles &hich shall $ui"e the authority competent to $rant certi icates un"er this Act in sanctionin$ ilms or public e,hibition. H8ur Gecommen"ationJ @ This sub<section shoul" be "elete". *omment. The $roun"s or restriction on the ree"om o speech an" e,pression liste" out in Article 12 (2) are $roun"s on &hich +arliament can ma6e la&s restrictin$ ree"om o speech. This clause a$ain reser)es to the e,ecuti)e, the po&ers &hich un"er Article 12 (2) o the *onstitution belon$ only to the le$islati)e or$ans o the %tate. 10. Appeals. @ (1) -here the applicant or a certi icate in respect o a ilm is a$$rie)e" by any or"er o the #oar"< (a) re usin$ to $rant a certi icateL or H8ur Gecommen"ationJ @ This section to be suitably amen"e". *omment. !n li$ht o our stan" that the the *#F* shoul" not en9oy the pri)ile$e o re usin$ certi ication, &e recommen" this chan$e. (b) $rantin$ only a 4%5 certi icateL or (c) $rantin$ only a 4A5 certi icateL or (") $rantin$ only a 413Q5 certi icateL or (e) $rantin$ only a 412Q5 certi icateL or ( ) "irectin$ the applicant to carry out any e,cisions or mo"i ications, H8ur Gecommen"ationJ @ *han$e the &or" 7"irectin$( to 7re;uestin$(. *omment. !n li$ht o our opposition to the *#F* man"ate" censorship, &e recommen" this chan$e. may, &ithin a perio" o thirty "ays rom the "ate o such or"er, pre er an appeal to the Tribunal. +ro)i"e" that the Tribunal may, i it is satis ie" that the appellant &as pre)ente" by su icient cause rom ilin$ the appeal &ithin the a oresai" perio" o thirty "ays allo& such appeal to be a"mitte" &ithin a urther perio" o thirty "ays by passin$ a reasone" or"er.

(2) ?)ery appeal un"er this section shall be ma"e by a petition in &ritin$ an" shall be accompanie" by a brie statement o the reasons or the or"er appeale" a$ainst &here such statement has been urnishe" to the appellant an" by such ees, as may be prescribe". 11. *onstitution o Tribunal. @ (1) For the purpose o hearin$ appeals a$ainst any or"er o the #oar" un"er section 10, the *entral :o)ernment shall, by noti ication in the 8 icial :a/ette, constitute a Tribunal. (2) The 0ea" 8 ice o the Tribunal shall be at 'e& Delhi or at such other place as the *entral :o)ernment may, by noti ication in the 8 icial :a/ette, speci y. (3) The Tribunal shall consist o a *hairperson an" not more than our other members to be appointe" by the *entral :o)ernment. (A) A person shall not be ;uali ie" or appointment as the *hairperson o the Tribunal unless he is a retire" Eu"$e o a 0i$h *ourt or is a person &ho is ;uali ie" to be a Eu"$e o a 0i$h *ourt. (3) The *entral :o)ernment may appoint such persons &ho, by reasons o ha)in$ achie)e" eminence in the iel" o arts, cinema, "rama, la&, literature, me"ia or social sciences, an" in its opinion, are ;uali ie" to 9u"$e the e ect o ilms on the public, to be members o the Tribunal. (P) The term o o ice, terms an" con"itions o ser)ice, inancial an" other a"ministrati)e po&ers o the *hairperson an" members shall be such as may be prescribe". (B) %ub9ect to such rules as may be ma"e in this behal , the *entral :o)ernment may appoint a %ecretary an" such other employees as it may thin6 necessary or the e icient per ormance o the unctions o the Tribunal un"er this Act. (M) The *hairperson o the Tribunal, in consultation &ith the :o)ernment, may assi$n such "uties an" po&ers to the %ecretary to the Tribunal or to such other o icers o the Tribunal, as "eeme" it. (2) The other terms an" con"itions o ser)ice o the %ecretary an" other employees o the Tribunal shall be such as may be prescribe". 12. +roce"ure an" po&ers o Tribunal. < (1) The Tribunal shall, sub9ect to any Gules that may be ma"e in this behal , ha)e po&er to re$ulate its o&n proce"ure an" may act not&ithstan"in$ the temporary absence o any member or the e,istence o a )acancy amon$st its members. (2) The Tribunal may, a ter ma6in$ such in;uiry into the matter as it consi"ers necessary, an" a ter $i)in$ the appellant an" the #oar" an opportunity o bein$ hear" in the matter, ma6e such or"er in relation to an appeal as it thin6s it an" the #oar" shall "ispose o the matter in con ormity &ith such or"er. (3) 'o or"er passe" or action ta6en by the Tribunal shall be calle" in ;uestion by the appellant in any *ourt e,cept in a 0i$h *ourt o appropriate 9uris"iction. (A) %a)e as other&ise pro)i"e" in this Act, no ci)il court shall entertain any suit or procee"in$ in any matter to &hich this Act applies. 13. %uspension an" re)ocation o certi icate.< (1) 'ot&ithstan"in$ anythin$ containe" in section 13, the *entral :o)ernment may, by noti ication in the 8 icial :a/ette, suspen" a certi icate $rante" un"er this +art, or such perio" as it thin6s it or may re)o6e such certi icate i it is satis ie" that< (i) the ilm in respect o &hich the certi icate &as $rante", &as bein$ e,hibite" in a orm other than the one in &hich it &as certi ie"L or (ii) the ilm or any part thereo is bein$ e,hibite" in contra)ention o the pro)isions o this +art or the rules ma"e thereun"erL or H8ur recommen"ationJ @ This sub<section shoul" be "elete".

*omment. %ub<section (ii) $i)es the *entral :o)ernment the po&er to suspen" any certi icate issue" by the *#F*, by ta6in$ recourse to %ection 2 (1) o this #ill. There is no reason or the *entral :o)ernment to en9oy such po&er o)er the "ecision o a )ali"ly constitute" statutory authority. The occasions on &hich a ilm(s certi icate can be suspen"e" shoul" be e,plicitly liste" out. (iii) the certi icate has been obtaine" by rau" or misrepresentation as to an essential act. (2) -here a noti ication un"er sub<section (1) has been publishe", the *entral :o)ernment may re;uire the applicant to &hom the certi icate &as issue" or any other person to &hom the ri$hts in the ilm ha)e passe", or both, to "eposit the certi icate an" all "uplicate certi icates, i any, $rante" in respect o the ilm to the #oar" or to any person or authority speci ie" in the sai" noti ication. (3) 'o action un"er this section shall be ta6en &ithout $i)in$ an opportunity o bein$ hear" to the person concerne". (A) Durin$ the perio" in &hich a certi icate remains suspen"e" un"er this section, the ilm shall be "eeme" to be an uncerti ie" ilm. 1A. Ge)ie& o or"ers by *entral :o)ernment.< (1) -here an applicant or a certi icate or any other person to &hom the ri$hts in the ilm ha)e passe", is a$$rie)e" by any or"er o the *entral :o)ernment un"er section 13, he may, &ithin si,ty "ays o the "ate o publication o the noti ication in the 8 icial :a/ette, ma6e an application to the *entral :o)ernment or re)ie& o the or"er, settin$ out in such application the $roun"s on &hich he consi"ers such re)ie& to be necessary. +ro)i"e" that the *entral :o)ernment may, i it is satis ie" that the applicant or a certi icate or that other person &as pre)ente" by su icient cause rom ilin$ an application or re)ie& &ithin the a oresai" perio" o si,ty "ays, allo& such application to be ile" &ithin a urther perio" o si,ty "ays. (2) 8n receipt o the application un"er sub<section (1), the *entral :o)ernment may, a ter $i)in$ the a$$rie)e" person a reasonable opportunity o bein$ hear", an" a ter ma6in$ such urther in;uiry, as it may consi"er necessary, pass such or"er as it thin6s it, con irmin$, mo"i yin$ or re)ersin$ its "ecision an" the #oar" shall "ispose o the matter in con ormity &ith such or"er. 13. +o&ers o the *entral :o)ernment to issue "irections. @ ! in the opinion o the *entral :o)ernment the pro)isions o %ection 2(1) ha)e not been complie" &ith &hile sanctionin$ o a ilm or e,hibition by the #oar", the *entral :o)ernment may "irect the #oar" to re)ie& its "ecisions re$ar"in$ $rant o certi icate to that ilm un"er section M an" the #oar" shall be boun" to ollo& the "irections o the *entral :o)ernment. H8ur Gecommen"ationJ @ This section shoul" be "elete" *omment. This section $i)es un ettere" po&er to the Ministry to censor or e)en uncerti y a ilm. There is no reme"y a)ailable to a ilm<ma6er in such a case. The *ensor #oar" is sta e" by people &ho are "eeme" to be ;uali ie" an" responsible by the :o)ernment itsel . This section un"oes the structure o the entire *inemato$raph Act, an" &oul" be an unreasonable etter on the ree"om o speech an" e,pression, as it reser)es the ri$ht to curtail ree"om o speech by e,ecuti)e or"er, o)erri"in$ the pro)isions an" systems ormulate" un"er the *inemato$raph Act. 1P. Dele$ation o po&ers by #oar". @ (1) The *entral :o)ernment may, by $eneral or special or"er, "irect that any po&er, authority or 9uris"iction e,ercisable by the #oar" un"er this Act shall in relation to the certi ication o the ilms un"er this +art an" sub9ect to such con"itions, i any, as may be speci ie" in the or"er, be e,ercisable also by the *hairperson or any other member o the #oar", an" anythin$ "one or action ta6en by the *hairperson or other member speci ie" in the or"er shall be "eeme" to be a thin$ "one or action ta6en by the #oar". (2) The *entral :o)ernment may by or"er an" sub9ect to such con"itions an" restrictions as may be prescribe", authori/e the re$ional o icers to issue pro)isional certi icates. 1B. +o&er to "irect e,hibition o ilms.<

For the purpose o e,ercisin$ any o the po&ers con erre" on it by this Act, the *entral :o)ernment, the Tribunal or the #oar" may re;uire any ilm to be e,hibite" be ore it or, be ore any person or authority speci ie" by it in this behal . 1M. +o&er o search an" sei/ure.< (1) -here a ilm is e,hibite" in contra)ention o the pro)isions containe" in this Act or rules or o any or"er ma"e by the *entral :o)ernment, the Tribunal or the #oar" in the e,ercise o any o the po&ers con erre" on it, any police o icer not belo& the ran6 o %ub<!nspector or an authori/e" o icer may enter any place in &hich he has reason to belie)e that such a ilm has been or is bein$ or is li6ely to be e,hibite", search it an" sei/e the ilm. (2) All searches an" sei/ures un"er this Act shall be carrie" out in accor"ance &ith the pro)isions o the *o"e o *riminal +roce"ure, 12B3, relatin$ to searches an" sei/ures. +AGT !!! 8FF?'*?% A'D +?'A1T!?%

12. +enalty or unauthori/e" issue o ne$ati)e or copy o the ilm or ma6in$ "uplicate printsFcopies. (1) 'o person &ho un"erta6es the processin$ o a ilm, analo$ue or "i$ital or in any other orm usin$ any technolo$y, shall, < (i) issue any ne$ati)e or copy o the ilm to any person e,cept one copy o the irst marrie" print o the ilm to the person applyin$ or a certi icate un"er sub<section (1) o section P until a certi icate is $rante"L or (ii) ma6e a "uplicate print or a copy o the ilm in any orm usin$ any technolo$y, (2) 'o person shall ma6e or cause to be ma"e unauthori/e" "uplicate print or copy o the ilm in any orm usin$ any technolo$yL (3) Any person, &ho ails to comply &ith the pro)isions containe" in sub<section (1) or sub<section (2), shall be punishable &ith a ine o not less than i)e la6h rupees &hich may e,ten" to t&enty< i)e la6h rupees or imprisonment o not less than one year &hich may e,ten" to three years or bothL H8ur Gecommen"ationJ @ This section shoul" be "elete". *omment. %ection P3 o the *opyri$ht Act, 123B criminalises copyri$ht in rin$ement, an" ma6in$ unauthorise" copies o a ilm is nothin$ but copyri$ht in rin$ement. *opyri$ht la& is a comple, iel" o la& in itsel , &ith ri$hts an" "uties bein$ impose" on both copyri$ht hol"ers as &ell as users. As such, ha)in$ a blan6et section such as this one in the propose" *inemato$raph Act &oul" brin$ it into "irect con lict &ith the pro)ision o the *opyri$ht Act. !t &oul" cause immense con usion an" &oul" probably necessitate hea)y amen"ment o both the *inemato$raph an" *opyri$ht Acts to resol)e the "i erences. 20. +enalty or not supplyin$ re;uire" in ormation an" "ocuments.< (1) #e ore the issue o a certi icate $rante" un"er section M, the applicant or the certi icate, or his authori/e" representati)e shall "eposit, at his o&n cost, a print o the ilm, in the same ormat in &hich it has been certi ie" an" a copy o the ilm in the prescribe" ormat &ith the prescribe" a$ency or a$encies or archi)al purpose an" recor". (2) Any person &ho "eli)ers any certi ie" ilm to any "istributor or e,hibitor shall, in such manner as may be prescribe", noti y to the "istributor or e,hibitor, as the case may be, the title, the len$th o the ilm, the number an" the nature o the certi icate $rante" in respect thereo an" the con"itions, i any, sub9ect to &hich it has been so $rante", an" any other particulars respectin$ the ilm &hich may be prescribe"L (3) 'ot&ithstan"in$ anythin$ containe" in any other Act or la& in orce, any person, &ho ails to comply &ith the pro)isions containe" in sub<section (1) or sub<section (2), shall be punishable &ith a ine o not less than one la6h rupees &hich may e,ten" to three la6h rupees an" in the case o a continuin$ o ence &ith a urther ine o not less than i)e thousan" rupees &hich may e,ten" to t&enty thousan" rupees or

each "ay "urin$ &hich the o ence continues an" i the same is not pai" the same shall be reco)erable as arrears o lan" re)enueL 21. +enalties or contra)entions o certain pro)isions o this Act.< (1) ! any person @ (a) e,hibits or permits to be e,hibite" in any place, < (i) any ilm other than a ilm &hich has been certi ie" by the #oar" as suitable or unrestricte" e,hibition or or e,hibition restricte" to chil"ren o more than t&el)e years or or e,hibition to chil"ren &ho ha)e complete" i teen years or or e,hibition restricte" to a"ults or to members o any pro ession or any class o persons an" &hich, &hen e,hibite", "isplays the prescribe" mar6 o the #oar" an" has not been altere" or tampere" &ith in any &ay since such mar6 &as a i,e" theretoL H8ur Gecommen"ationJ @ This sub<section to be suitably amen"e". *omment. This sub<section "oes not ta6e into account the "istinction, as pointe" out in our comment on the "e inition o e,hibition, bet&een public e,hibition an" pri)ate e,hibition. As such, this sub<section is unnecessarily restricti)e. -e thin6 that there shoul" not be any restrictions, sub9ect to criminal la&s in orce, on pri)ate e,hibitions to a"ults as a"ults &ho are other&ise ;uali ie" to 9u"$e e)ery aspect o their li)es or themsel)es, nee" not be sheltere" rom i"eas. (ii) any ilm, &hich has been certi ie" by the #oar" as suitable or e,hibition restricte" to a"ults, to any person &ho is not an a"ult, (iii) any ilm, &hich has been certi ie" by the #oar" as suitable or e,hibition restricte" to the persons o i teen years or abo)e to any person &ho has not complete" i teen years o a$eL (i)) any ilm, &hich has been certi ie" by the #oar" as suitable or e,hibition restricte" to persons o t&el)e years or abo)e to any person &ho has not complete" t&el)e years o a$eL ()) any ilm &hich has been certi ie" by the #oar" as suitable or e,hibition restricte" to any pro ession or class o persons, to a person &ho is not a member o such pro ession or &ho is not a member o such class, or (b) &ithout la& ul authority (the bur"en o pro)in$ &hich shall be on him), alters or tampers or interpolates or inter eres &ith in any &ay any ilm a ter it has been certi ie"L or (c) ails to comply &ith any or"er ma"e by the *entral :o)ernment or by the #oar" in the e,ercise o any o the po&ers or unctions con erre" on it by this Act or the rules ma"e thereun"er, he shall be punishable &ith imprisonment or a term o not less than one year &hich may e,ten" to three years, or &ith a ine o not less than one la6h rupees &hich may e,ten" to three la6h o rupees, or &ith both, an" in the case o a continuin$ o ence &ith a urther ine o not less than i)e thousan" rupees &hich may e,ten" to t&enty thousan" rupees or each "ay "urin$ &hich the o ence continues. +ro)i"e" that not&ithstan"in$ anythin$ containe" in section 22 o the *o"e o *riminal +roce"ure, 12B3, it shall be la& ul or any Metropolitan Ma$istrate, or any Eu"icial Ma$istrate o the irst class specially empo&ere" by the %tate :o)ernment in this behal , to pass a sentence o ine e,cee"in$ i)e thousan" rupees on any person con)icte" o any o ence punishable un"er this Act. (2) ! any person is con)icte" o an o ence punishable un"er this section committe" by him in respect o any ilm, the con)ictin$ court may urther "irect that the print o the ilm shall be or eite" to the *entral :o)ernment. (3) The e,hibition o a ilm, in respect o &hich a 4%5 certi icate or an 4A5 certi icate or a 413Q5 certi icate or a 412Q5 certi icate has been $rante", to chil"ren belo& the a$e o three years accompanyin$ their parents or $uar"ians shall not be "eeme" to be an o ence &ithin the meanin$ o this section. 22. +enalty or not "isplayin$ the *erti icate.< (1) The applicant or the certi icate, any "istributor or e,hibitor or any other person to &hom the ri$hts in the ilm ha)e passe", shall ensure<

(a) that the prescribe" +art o the certi icate alon$ &ith the prescribe" mar6s o the #oar" shall al&ays be e,hibite" &ith the ilm or the "uration as prescribe"L (b) that any person connecte" &ith the e,hibition o a promotional ilm or an a")ertisement ilm $rante" 7=( or 412Q5 or 413Q5 or 4A5 or 4%5 certi icate shall mention &ith such promotional or a")ertisement ilm that the ilm has been certi ie" or such e,hibition, prominently in"icatin$ the cate$ori/ation o the ilm. (2) ! any person "escribe" in sub section (1) ails to comply &ith the pro)isions o this section, shall be punishable &ith a ine o not less than i)e thousan" rupees &hich may e,ten" to t&enty thousan" rupees per "ay or each )iolation. 23. 'o *ourt shall ta6e *o$ni/ance o any o ence punishable un"er this Act e,cept upon a complaint in &ritin$ ma"e by any authori/e" o icer. +AGT !>

G?:=1AT!8' 8F ?I0!#!T!8' #K M?A'% 8F *!'?MAT8:GA+0%

2A. *inemato$raph e,hibitions to be license". < %a)e as other&ise pro)i"e" in this +art, no person shall $i)e an e,hibition by means o a cinemato$raph else&here than in a place license" un"er this +art or other&ise than in compliance &ith any con"itions an" restrictions impose" by such license. H8ur Gecommen"ationJ @ The operation o this section to be restricte" to public e,hibition. *omment. This section illustrates the necessity o ha)in$ a "istinction bet&een public e,hibition an" pri)ate e,hibition. *urrently, it co)ers playin$ o a ilm at a person(s home as &ell. +ri)ate e,hibition o ilms or materials, &hich "o not contra)ene any criminal la& shoul" be allo&e" as the rationally or restrictin$ ree"om o speech, that is, public harm "oes not other&ise apply here. 23. 1icensin$ authority.< The authority ha)in$ po&er to $rant license un"er this +art (hereina ter re erre" to as the licensin$ authority) shall be the "istrict ma$istrate. +ro)i"e" that the =nion territory :o)ernment may, by noti ication in the 8 icial :a/ette, constitute, or the &hole or any part o the =nion territory, such other authority as it may speci y in the noti ication to be the licensin$ authority or the purposes o this +art. 2P. Gestrictions on po&ers o licensin$ authority. @ (1) The licensin$ authority shall not $rant a licence un"er this +art, unless it is satis ie" that, @ (a) the pro)ision o this Act an" Gules ma"e there un"er ha)e been substantially complie" &ith, an" (b) a"e;uate precautions ha)e been ta6en in the place, in respect o &hich the licence is to be $i)en, to pro)i"e or the sa ety o persons atten"in$ e,hibitions therein. (2) %ub9ect to the ore$oin$ pro)isions o this section an" to the control o the =nion territory :o)ernment, the licensin$ authority may $rant licence un"er this +art to such persons as that authority thin6s it an" on such terms an" con"itions an" sub9ect to such restrictions as it may "etermine. (3) Any person a$$rie)e" by the "ecision o a licensin$ authority re usin$ to $rant a licence un"er this +art may, &ithin such time as may be prescribe", appeal to the =nion territory :o)ernment or to such o icer as the =nion territory :o)ernment may speci y in this behal an" the =nion territory :o)ernment or the o icer, as the case may be, may ma6e such or"er in the case as it or he thin6s it. (A) The *entral :o)ernment may, rom time to time, issue "irections to licensees $enerally or to any licensee in particular or the purpose o re$ulatin$ the e,hibition o any ilm or class o ilms, so that scienti ic ilms, ilms inten"e" or e"ucational purposes, ilms "ealin$ &ith ne&s an" current e)ents, "ocumentary ilms or in"i$enous ilms secure an a"e;uate opportunity o bein$ e,hibite", an" &here any

such "irections ha)e been issue" those "irections shall be "eeme" to be a""itional con"itions an" restrictions sub9ect to &hich the license has been $rante". 2B. +o&er o *entral :o)ernment or local authority to suspen" e,hibition o ilms in certain cases.@ (1) The 1ieutenant<:o)ernor or, as the case may be, the *hie *ommissioner, in respect o the 1N&hole or any part o a =nion territoryO an" the "istrict ma$istrate in respect o the "istrict &ithin his 9uris"iction, may, i he is o opinion that any ilm &hich is bein$ publicly e,hibite" is li6ely to cause a breach o the peace, by or"er, suspen" the e,hibition o the ilm an" "urin$ such suspension the ilm shall be "eeme" to be an uncerti ie" ilm in the state, part or "istrict, as the case may be. (2) -here an or"er un"er sub<section (1) has been issue" by the *hie *ommissioner or a "istrict ma$istrate, as the case may be, a copy thereo , to$ether &ith a statement o reasons there ore, shall orth&ith be or&ar"e" by the person ma6in$ the same to the *entral :o)ernment, an" the *entral :o)ernment may either con irm or "ischar$e the or"er. (3) An or"er ma"e un"er this section shall remain in orce or a perio" o t&o months rom the "ate thereo , but the *entral :o)ernment may, i it is o opinion that the or"er shoul" continue in orce, "irect that the perio" o suspension shall be e,ten"e" by such urther perio" as it thin6s it. H8ur Gecommen"ationJ @ This section to be suitably amen"e". *omment. !n li$ht o the *onstitutional ri$ht to ree"om o speech an" e,pression, the e,ecuti)e cannot ha)e the un ettere" ri$ht to suspen" a ilm. This ri$ht shoul" be ma"e e,plicitly sub9ect to 9u"icial con irmation, perhaps by the 0i$h *ourt o the %tate concerne".

2M. +enalties or contra)ention o this +art.< ! the o&ner or person in char$e o a cinemato$raph uses the same or allo&s it to be use", or i the o&ner or occupier o any place permits that place to be use" in contra)ention o the pro)isions o this +art or o the rules ma"e thereun"er, or o the con"itions an" restrictions upon or sub9ect to &hich any license has been $rante" un"er this +art, he shall be punishable &ith ine o not less one la6h rupees &hich may e,ten" to three la6h rupees an" in the case o a continuin$ o ence, &ith a urther ine o not less than i)e thousan" rupees &hich may e,ten" to t&enty thousan" rupees or each "ay "urin$ &hich the o ence continues.

22. +o&er to re)o6e license. < -here the hol"er o a licence has been con)icte" o an o ence un"er any o the sections o this Act, the licensin$ authority may re)o6e the license un"er that ruleL

30. +o&er to ma6e rules. @ (1) The *entral :o)ernment may, by noti ication in the 8 icial :a/ette, ma6e rules< (a) prescribin$ the terms, con"itions an" restrictions, i any, sub9ect to &hich licence may be $rante" un"er this +artL (b) pro)i"in$ or the re$ulation o cinemato$raph e,hibitions or securin$ the public sa ety un"er the pro)isions o sub<section (1) o section 23L (c) prescribin$ the time &ithin &hich an" the con"itions sub9ect to &hich an appeal un"er sub<section (3) o section 23 may be pre erre". (2) ?)ery rule ma"e by the *entral :o)ernment un"er this +art shall be lai", as soon as may be a ter it is ma"e, be ore each 0ouse o +arliament, &hile it is in session, or a total perio" o thirty "ays &hich may be comprise" in one session or in t&o or more successi)e sessions, an" i , be ore the e,piry o the session imme"iately ollo&in$ the session or the successi)e sessions a oresai", both 0ouses a$ree in ma6in$ any mo"i ication in the rule or both 0ouses a$ree that the rule shoul" not be ma"e, the rule shall therea ter ha)e e ect only in such mo"i ie" orm or be o no e ect, as the case may beL so, ho&e)er, that any such mo"i ication or annulment shall be &ithout pre9u"ice to the )ali"ity o anythin$ pre)iously "one +AGT < >

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31. #ar o le$al procee"in$s. @ 'o suit or other le$al procee"in$ shall lie a$ainst the *entral :o)ernment, the Tribunal, the #oar", a")isory panel, or any o icer o the *entral :o)ernment, the Tribunal or the #oar", as the case may be, in respect o anythin$ &hich is in $oo" aith "one or inten"e" to be "one un"er this Act. 32. Members o the #oar" an" a")isory panels to be public ser)ants. @ All members o the Tribunal, the #oar" an" o any a")isory panel shall, &hen actin$ or purportin$ to act in pursuance o any o the pro)isions o this Act, be "eeme" to be public ser)ants &ithin the meanin$ o section 21 o the !n"ian +enal *o"e. 33. >acancies, etc., not to in)ali"ate procee"in$.< 'o act or procee"in$ o the Tribunal, the #oar" or o any a")isory panel shall be "eeme" to be in)ali" by reason only o a )acancy in, or any "e ect in, the constitution o the Tribunal, the #oar" or panel, as the case may be. 3A. +o&er to ma6e rules.< (1) The *entral :o)ernment may, by noti ication in the 8 icial :a/ette, ma6e rules or the purpose o carryin$ into e ect the pro)isions o this +art. (2) !n particular, an" &ithout pre9u"ice to the $enerality o the ore$oin$ po&er, rules ma"e un"er this section may pro)i"e or all or any o the ollo&in$ matters, namely.< (a) the allo&ances or ees payable to the members o the #oar" un"er sub<section A o section AL (b) the terms an" con"itions o ser)ice o the members o the #oar" un"er sub<section 3 o section AL (c) the manner o ma6in$ an application to the #oar" or a certi icate an" the manner in &hich a ilm has to be e,amine" by the #oar" an" the ees to be le)ie" there ore un"er sub<section 1 o section PL (") the manner in &hich the #oar" may consult any a")isory panel in respect o any ilm un"er sub< section 3 o section BL (e) the allo&ances or ees payable to the members o the a")isory panel un"er sub<section 3 o section BL ( ) the mar6in$ o the ilms un"er section ML ($) the ee payable by the appellant to the Tribunal in respect o matters relatin$ to appeal un"er sub< section 2 o section 10L (h) the term o o ice, terms an" con"itions o ser)ice, inancial an" a"ministrati)e po&ers o the *hairperson an" the members o the Tribunal un"er sub<section P o %ection 11. (i) the other terms an" con"itions o ser)ice o the %ecretary to, an" other employees o , the Tribunal un"er sub<section 11 o %ection 11L (9) the association o re$ional o icers in the e,amination o ilms, the con"itions an" restrictions sub9ect to &hich re$ional o icers may be authori/e" un"er sub<section 2 o section 1B to issue pro)isional certi icatesL (6) the manner in &hich certi ie" ilm may be "eli)ere" to the "istributor or e,hibitor an" the con"itions sub9ect to &hich any certi icate be $rante" un"er sub<section (2) o section 20 o the ActL (l) the "uration o the e,hibition o prescribe" mar6s o the #oar" un"er clause (a) o sub<section (1) o section 22L (m) any other matter &hich is re;uire" to be, or may be, prescribe". (3) ?)ery rule ma"e by the *entral :o)ernment un"er this +art shall be lai", as soon as may be a ter it is ma"e, be ore each 0ouse o +arliament, &hile it is in session, or a total perio" o thirty "ays &hich may be comprise" in one session or in t&o or more successi)e sessions, an" i , be ore the e,piry o the session

imme"iately ollo&in$ the session or the successi)e sessions a oresai", both 0ouses a$ree in ma6in$ any mo"i ication in the rule or both 0ouses a$ree that the rule shoul" not be ma"e, the rule shall, therea ter, ha)e e ect only in such mo"i ie" orm or be o no e ect, as the case may beL so, ho&e)er, that any such mo"i ication or annulment shall be &ithout pre9u"ice to the )ali"ity o anythin$ pre)iously "one un"er that rule. 33. +o&er to e,empt. @ (1) The *entral :o)ernment may, by or"er in &ritin$ e,empt, sub9ect to such con"itions an" restrictions as it may impose any cinemato$raph ilm or class o cinemato$raph ilm rom any o the pro)isions o this Act or o any rules ma"e there un"er. 3P. +o&er to remo)e "i iculties (1) ! any "i iculty arises in $i)in$ e ect to the pro)isions o this Act, the *entral :o)ernment may, by or"er, publishe" in the8 icial :a/ette, ma6e such pro)isions not in consistent &ith thepro)isions o this Act, as appear to it to be necessary ore,pe"ient or remo)in$ the "i iculty. +ro)i"e" that no or"er shall be ma"e un"er this section a ter thee,piry o t&o years rom the "ate o commencement o this Act. (2) ?)ery or"er ma"e un"er this section shall, as soonas may bea ter it is ma"e, be lai" be ore each 0ouse o +arliament. 3B. Gepeal an" %a)in$s. (1) The *inemato$raph Act, 1232 is hereby repeale". (2) 'ot&ithstan"in$ such repeal an" &ithout pre9u"ice to the pro)isions containe" in the :eneral *lause Act, 1M2B &ith respect to repeals< (a) any thin$ "one or action ta6en un"er any pro)ision o the *inemato$raph Act, 1232 by the *entral :o)ernment shall continue to be in orceL or (b) the pre)ious operation o the pro)isions so repeale" or anythin$ "uly "one or su ere" thereun"erL or (c) any ri$ht, pri)ile$e, obli$ation or liability ac;uire", accrue" or incurre" un"er the pro)isions so repeale"L or (") any penalty, or eiture or punishment incurre" in respect o any o ence committe" a$ainst the pro)isions so repeale"L or 7 (e) any in)esti$ation, le$al procee"in$ or reme"y in respect o any such ri$ht, pri)ile$e, obli$ation, liability, penalty, or eiture or punishment as a oresai"L an" ( ) any such in)esti$ation, le$al procee"in$ or reme"y may be institute", continue" or en orce", an" any such penalty, or eiture or punishment may be impose" as i the sai" pro)isions ha" not been repeale". +ro)i"e" that anythin$ "one or any action ta6en (inclu"in$ any appointment ma"e, noti ication issue" or rule ma"e) un"er the pro)isions so repeale" shall be "eeme" to ha)e been "one or ta6en un"er any pro)ision o the *inemato$raph Act by the *entral :o)ernment shall continue to be in orce an" ha)e e ect as i this Act has not been passe".