Kamal Haasan took to Twitter on Monday, June 28, to urge everyone to speak up for creative freedom in light of the draft Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2021 that allows direct government intervention in controlling the narrative of cinema in the country. According to the draft, the Centre will have the power to re-examine films that have already been cleared for public screening by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). If the Centre feels that the film is against the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of the country, it can also revise the CBFC’s decision. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting put out a draft of the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2021 in the public domain and sought comments from people before it took it to Parliament.
KAMAL HAASAN SLAMS THE CINEMATOGRAPH BILL
Kamal Haasan won over the audience’s hearts when he spoke to a fan battling cancer over video call. On Monday, June 28, the Vishwaroopam actor took to Twitter and slammed the draft Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2021. Kamal Haasan feels that the proposed changes in the Cinematograph Act of 1952 would curb the creative freedom of filmmakers.
Asking everyone to raise their voices, Kamal wrote, “Cinema, media and the literati cannot afford to be the three iconic monkeys of India. Seeing, hearing and speaking of impending evil is the only medication against attempts to injure and debilitate democracy. Please act, voice your concern for freedom and liberty. @MIB_India #cinematographact2021 #raiseyourvoice (sic).”
VETRI MAARAN SHARES HIS THOUGHTS ON CINEMATOGRAPH BILL
While talking to The News Minute, National Award-winning filmmaker Vetri Maaran also slammed the draft Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2021. He was of the opinion that with this kind of law, there would only be one narrative – a pro-government one. He said, “If I have 10,000 people ready to do what I ask them to do then I can influence the outcome of any film. I can have protests, file complaints, go to court. With this new bill, both the filmmaker’s freedom and the film’s revenue are going to be affected. Already the governing body has so much power over creative expression. With this kind of a law, there is only going to be one narrative a pro-government one. You can either be a pro-government filmmaker or not speak at all.”
WHAT DOES THE DRAFT CINEMATOGRAPH BILL (AMENDMENT) 2021 ENTAIL?
According to the draft Cinemtograph Bill (Amendment) 2021, the Centre will have the power to ask the CBFC to review the permission given to a movie for public exhibition if it feels its content is against the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, or is likely to incite the commission of any offence. It also has new categories to classify films and provisions to deal with piracy.
This article first appeared on indiatoday.in
