The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has introduced a revised set of guidelines for certifying films for public exhibition in India. Issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the new rules replace the framework that had been followed since December 1991, introducing updated provisions for film certification.
The guidelines specify what filmmakers can and cannot portray on screen, addressing subjects such as violence, drug use, smoking, sexual content, the representation of women, children and animals, as well as religion and national security. They also emphasise the importance of safeguarding creative freedom while ensuring that film certification reflects changing social values.
What do these revisions mean for filmmakers and audiences? Here is a closer look at the new guidelines.
A new framework after 35 years
A major change is the replacement of the notification issued on December 6, 1991. While several existing principles of film certification have been retained, they have now been brought together under a revised framework.
The government has said that film certification must maintain a balance between responsible storytelling and artistic freedom. According to the guidelines, creative expression should not face unnecessary restrictions, while cinema must remain mindful of society's values and standards.
The objectives include promoting films with artistic and cinematic merit, adapting to social changes and ensuring that cinema offers clean and healthy entertainment.
Stricter scrutiny of violence and crime
The revised guidelines make it clear that films must not glorify or justify anti-social activities, including violence. They also discourage the depiction of criminal methods and visuals or dialogues that could motivate viewers to engage in unlawful activities.
The CBFC has been instructed to monitor unnecessary violence, cruelty and horror. Scenes included solely for entertainment, particularly those that could desensitise audiences to violence or human suffering, should be avoided.
However, this does not prevent filmmakers from exploring crime, violence or disturbing themes. The guidelines suggest that such portrayals should serve a meaningful purpose in the storyline rather than being used merely to shock audiences or entertain them.
Children, women and animals: What the rules say
The new framework lays down specific provisions for depicting vulnerable sections of society.
Unnecessary scenes showing children experiencing violence, whether as victims, perpetrators or unwilling witnesses, should not be included. Similar restrictions apply to portrayals of child abuse.
The guidelines also discourage needless depictions of cruelty towards animals and the mockery or mistreatment of individuals with physical or mental disabilities.
The portrayal of women receives particular attention. Scenes that insult, degrade or denigrate women are prohibited. Depictions of sexual violence, including rape, attempted rape and molestation, should be avoided. If such incidents are essential to the narrative, they must be restricted to the minimum necessary and should not contain graphic details.
Likewise, scenes portraying what the guidelines term sexual perversions should be avoided. Where such content is relevant to the storyline, it must be limited and presented without unnecessary details.
Drug consumption will require a statutory disclaimer
The revised rules also introduce specific requirements for films depicting narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Movies that portray or involve the consumption, use or trafficking of these substances must display the following statutory warning:
"Illicit Narcotics Destroy Health and Guarantees Imprisonment. Say No to Drugs."
The guidelines further prohibit scenes that promote, justify or glorify drug addiction.
Similar restrictions apply to alcohol and tobacco. Content that justifies or celebrates drinking, or encourages and glamorises smoking and tobacco use, is not permitted.
However, these provisions do not completely prevent filmmakers from addressing such subjects. Instead, they aim to ensure that these behaviours are not portrayed in a manner that encourages or celebrates their consumption.
Obscenity, vulgarity and double-meaning dialogues
The CBFC has reiterated its restrictions on material considered vulgar, obscene or indecent.
According to the guidelines, films should not offend human sensibilities through vulgarity, obscenity or depravity. They also discourage double-meaning expressions that appeal to what the document refers to as 'baser instincts'.
This provision could influence the examination of film dialogues, songs and comedy sequences, particularly when suggestive language is used.
Religion, communities and national security
The revised framework also establishes restrictions concerning the portrayal of religious groups, communities and issues of national importance.
Films must not include visuals or language that express contempt towards racial, religious or other communities. Content that encourages communalism, obscurantism, anti-scientific thinking or anti-national sentiments is also restricted.
The guidelines further prohibit material that challenges India's sovereignty and integrity, threatens state security, damages friendly relations with foreign countries or poses a risk to public order.
Defamatory material targeting individuals or groups, along with content that amounts to contempt of court, is also prohibited. This includes scenes that encourage people to disregard court regulations or undermine the dignity of the judiciary.
The depiction and use of national symbols and emblems must also adhere to the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950.
The U/A age categories remain important
The revised guidelines retain the age-based certification system, including the U/A 7+, U/A 13+ and U/A 16+ categories.
These classifications are designed to help parents determine whether a film is appropriate for their children.
Under the system, films considered suitable for children aged seven and above but requiring parental guidance for younger viewers can be awarded a U/A 7+ certificate. Similar provisions apply to the U/A 13+ and U/A 16+ classifications.
The guidelines also specify that films meeting the prescribed certification standards but considered unsuitable for minors should receive an adult-only certificate.
For films awarded an unrestricted public exhibition certificate, the CBFC must ensure that the content is appropriate for family viewing, allowing all family members, including children, to watch together.
The Board can also restrict certain films to particular professional or specialised audiences if their content requires such a classification.
A film will be judged as a whole, not just by individual scenes
Another significant aspect of the revised guidelines is the direction to evaluate films as complete works while considering their overall impact.
The CBFC has been instructed to assess films in relation to the historical period they portray, alongside contemporary social standards and the communities represented in them. This provision is particularly relevant to historical movies, period dramas and stories set against different cultural backgrounds.
In principle, this approach allows the Board to consider the broader narrative instead of examining individual scenes in isolation. However, the guidelines also maintain that films must not have a morally corrupting influence on audiences.
Even film titles will come under scrutiny
The CBFC's examination will not be restricted to a film's storyline, visuals and dialogues. Titles will also be subject to scrutiny under the new guidelines.
The Board has been directed to ensure that film titles are not provocative, vulgar or offensive, and do not violate the prescribed certification standards.
Consequently, filmmakers will also have to ensure that their chosen titles comply with the broader principles outlined in the revised notification.
What does this mean for filmmakers?
The updated guidelines provide a more detailed framework outlining the subjects and portrayals that the CBFC will consider during the film certification process. Although several provisions continue the principles of the previous system, the new notification brings them together with revised age classifications and clearer instructions on issues such as drug-related content, sexual violence and the depiction of children.
For filmmakers, much will depend on how these provisions are interpreted and implemented during certification. The instruction to assess films in their entirety and consider the historical period they represent could be particularly important for projects exploring complex or sensitive subjects.
The government has maintained that artistic expression and creative freedom should not be unnecessarily restricted. The eventual impact of the revised guidelines on Indian cinema will depend on how effectively the CBFC balances these objectives with the restrictions and standards laid down in the new framework.
