It has been a busy month in the world of media and entertainment, not just because of the back-to-back releases of blockbuster movies such as ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ but owing to a keen interest by the Information & Broadcasting Ministry in shaping and modifying film and media-related legislation. The...
Introduction:
It seems that the world of films and its expression and the sensitivity regarding religious issues do not go hand in hand. In the recent past with films like Kashmir Files, The Kerala Story, PK etc, the Courts of law have upheld the creative freedom of expression that...
Congress MP Mr. Shashi Tharoor introduced the Cinematograph Amendment Bill, 2018 (“Bill”) in the Lok Sabha on August 3, 2018.
In 2010, draft of Cinematograph Bill, 2010 was first introduced and circulated by the I&B Ministry to the stake holders with an attempt to change the system from film...
Background
The Kerala Story has faced continuous litigation and protests all over India ever since its theatrical release on 5 May 2023. The states of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu even went on to cast shadow bans or a complete ban of the screening of the film in theatres state...
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, on June 18, 2021, sought comments from the public (“Notification”) (can be accessed here) on the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (“Bill”) which seeks to amend the Cinematograph Act, 1952 (“Act”). The Bill inter alia aims to introduce age-based sub-categories of U/A certification, prohibit...
In the past week, two films have faced stays in India from different courts, raising significant concerns about sanctity of the CBFC certificate, the state of free speech and its implications for democracy. These stay orders highlight a troubling trend where judicial interventions are increasingly curbing creative expression.
Maharaj: Gujarat...
