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Indian Govt Abolishes FCAT, Vishal Bhardwaj Says ‘Sad Day For Cinema’

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The Indian government abolished a few tribunals, including the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) - a body that filmmakers often approached when they were not happy with the cuts suggested by Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The powers of the tribunal body have been shifted to the high courts.

The appellate body for the Cinematograph Act will now be the high court. Minister of state for Finance, Anurag Singh Thakur had introduced a bill, in February, in the Parliament, to abolish tribunals where the public at large is not litigant. The bill could not get a parliamentary nod, and an ordinance has now been issued to the effect.

WHAT WAS FCAT

Films in India need a CBFC certification before they can release in movie halls. If the CBFC suggested changes that the filmmakers were not happy with, they could approach the FCAT. While most producers simply agree to CBFC suggestions, because of commercial constraints, a few filmmakers are known for their years-long fights with FCAT and CBFC. Anurag Kashyap and Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi are two eminent directors who have fought the regulatory bodies for years, in order to ensure their original film released in theaters, with any major cuts or changes. While Dwivedi had his most recent film, Mohalla Assi, hitting screens only after he approached Delhi High Court, Kashyap’s filmography is full of movies where he had to struggle with the changes suggested by the CBFC.

Producers went to the court earlier as well, but since legal recourse means more investment in terms of both money and time, it used to be the last resort.

Now, with courts as the only way to counter CBFC, not many may question or object to any suggestions made by the CBFC.

INDUSTRY SPEAK

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta (of Aligarh, Shahid and Simran fame) responded with, “Do the high courts have a lot of time to address film certification grievances? How many film producers will have the means to approach the courts? The FCAT discontinuation feels arbitrary and is definitely restrictive. Why this unfortunate timing? Why take this decision at all?”

Omkara director Vishal Bhardwaj also tweeted, “Such a sad day for cinema FILM CERTIFICATION APPELLATE TRIBUNAL ABOLISHED | 6 April, 2021 .”

Eminent film trade analyst Girish Johar, however, expressed hopes that filmmakers will get another way to help them address their grievances quicker and swifter. “With FCAT dissolved by the Govt, maybe a larger body will come up. (Perhaps another body will be) setup by Govt which will not only address censor grievances of films, but also issues regarding content on OTT, short films, social media and such other content as well. Something will come, makers can’t afford, nor Govt can't burden courts more.”

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