After Great Grand Masti, Sultan online leaks, CBFC bans DVD submissions

In an effort to stem leaks of the 'censor copy' of films, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has banned DVD submissions for censor certification.

The decision follows the recent leak of films like Udta Punjab, Great Grand Masti and Sultan, which raised questions on the credibility and efficiency of the board.

According to the decision, filmmakers will now have to submit their films to the CBFC on the Digital Cinema Projection (DCP) format.

CBFC chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani shifted the blame for the leaks on the producers, saying, "We had many complaints about DVD prints marked 'censor copy' being leaked online. Firstly, the censor copy was made by the producers, not us. So, the leak could be sourced from the point where the producers make copies.

"But we have stopped that procedure. We now watch films on the digital format. So there is no censor copy made for us."

This might be a good decision and will simplify things for filmmakers as well as for the board itself. Hopefully, it will put an end to the leaks and ensure that filmmakers do not find their movies getting 'released' before schedule.