The government has replaced Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani with famous lyricist Prasoon Joshi.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 (37 of 1952) read with rule 3 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983, the Central Government is pleased to appoint Sh. Prasoon Joshi as Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification in an honorary capacity from 11th August, 2017 for a period of three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier,” said a release from the Press Information Bureau on Friday evening. And members of the reconstituted board includes names like Vidya Balan, Waman Kendre and Vivek Agnihotri, among others.
Mr. Joshi said, "Bearing responsibility and doing my best has been my endeavour. I have believed that right and responsibilities are better served with constructive contribution. One hopes to make a positive difference with the guidance and support of respected minds. Good intent is the best beginning."
This marks the end of Mr. Nihalani's stint – which had its share of controversies – as the censor board chief.
His controversial decisions included demanding multiple cuts in Madhur Bhandarkar's film I ndu Sarkar on the 1975-77 Emergency and his refusal to clear Lipstick Under My Burkha , a film that explored female sexuality.
Director Alankrita Shrivastava won her case after challenging the censor board at an appeals tribunal.
He had also objected to the word 'intercourse' in the recently released Shah Rukh Khan-starrer When Harry Met Sejal and had also asked for words like "cow" and "Hindu India" in a documentary on Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen to be bleeped.
Last year, the censor board under him ordered multiple cuts in Udta Punjab , a film on the State's drug problem. The High Court restored all but one cut in it.
Mr. Nihalani was appointed in 2015 and his term was to end in January.
The new members of the reconstituted CBFC are as follows:
· Ms. Gautami Tadimalla
· Mr. Narendra Kohli
· Mr. Naresh Chandra Lal
· Mr. Neil Herbert Nongkynrih
· Mr. Vivek Agnihotri
· Mr. Waman Kendre
· Ms. Vidya Balan
· Mr. T.S. Nagabharana
· Mr. Ramesh Patange
· Ms. Vani Tripati Tikoo
· Ms. Jeevitha Rajasekhar
· Mr. Mihir Bhuta
"I am very happy to join the CBFC and I hope to fulfill my responsibilities as a member to the best of my abilities," Ms. Balan said. "I look forward to this new and exciting phase where our cinema will be allowed to reflect the sensibilities, realities and complexities of the society we are living in today."
