Manoj Bajpayee: Film industry is patiently waiting for changes in CBFC

At the height of the Udta Punjab censorship row last month, Union information and broadcasting minister Arun Jaitley had promised “radical changes in film certification” in a few days.

More than a month later, there is no update on the subject, except that Jaitley is no longer the country's information and broadcasting minister, having been replaced by M Venkaiah Naidu.

There is no word either on the report submitted on 26 April by the Shyam Benegal committee, which was set up on 1 January 2016 to suggest reforms in film certification in India.

Asked about the lack of progress on this front, actor Manoj Bajpayee, whose forthcoming Budhia Singh – Born To Run also ran into trouble with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), commonly known as the censor board, said, "I want Shyam Benegal’s recommendations to get implemented as soon as possible because it will bring major reforms in the CBFC. Let’s see when it happens."

Bajpayee has had more than his share of trouble with the CBFC this year, with Aligarh, a film based on a real-life incident in the Western Uttar Pradesh town, also getting rough treatment. “We are just waiting patiently," said the actor. "What else can we do?"

Budhia Singh – Born To Run is a biopic on the young marathoner from Orissa. The film is scheduled to release on 5 August 2016.