Pre-censorship in films: Supreme Court seeks CBFC response on Amol Palekar's plea

The Supreme Court on Monday sought a response from the central government and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), popularly known as the censor board, on a plea by veteran actor-director Amol Palekar challenging pre-censorship of films by the board.

A bench of Justice AK Sikri and Justice Ashok Bhushan sought response as the veteran filmmaker contended that in the age of internet and social media, the existing set of rules providing for pre-censorship of films must change.

Seeking directions for implementation of the Shyam Benegal committee's recommendations, Palekar contended that the censor board does not have any qualification for its members.

Also seeking a revamp of the Cinematography Act, 1952, and the board, the petition said the contents that are uploaded on social media are free from pre-censorship but those very things attract alternation, deletion or cuts when it comes to films.