The latest order by the Central Board Of Film Certification (CBFC) could be looked as another restraint of freedom of expression. Pahlaj Nihalani, the chief of CBFC, has said that superstars should refrain from smoking or drinking on screen as, according to him, this might influence their huge fan following.
Hence, films where smoking or drinking scenes are essential would be given an 'A' certificate. The 'A' signifies that the film can only be seen by an adult audience.
Talking to a portal, Nihalani said, “We feel the superstars who are followed by millions and who set an example in societal behaviour must not be shown drinking or smoking on screen unless the provocation for doing so is extreme.”
Since last few years, a ticker runs on the screen every time an actor smokes or drinks. But Nihalani believes this is not enough. “Merely putting a ticker warning at some remote corner of the screen whenever there is smoking or drinking shown is not enough anymore,” he added.
Going by this order, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Devdas (2002) would have got an 'A' certificate if it was released today.
CBFC has been in the news for the wrong reasons ever since the committee was revised in January 2015. Nihalani received extreme flak for not passing Alankrita Shrivastava’s Lipstick Under My Burkha for the film being ‘lady oriented’. The film eventually was passed by the tribunal and released last week. It has been receiving rave reviews from the critics and audience alike.
There have been unconfirmed reports about Nihalani soon to be ousted from his position. There hasn’t been any official announcement on the same though.