Lok Sabha Question No. 98 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-21
Subject: Hindi Movie 'Padmavati'
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: VIJAY KUMAR S.R., SAUGATA ROY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 98 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2017

## HINDI MOVIE 'PADMAVATI'

## *98: SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR: PROF. SAUGATA ROY

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there has been a large scale resentment from various parts of the country on Hindi movie 'Padmavati' which is yet to be released;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Government  has  received  many  representations  from  the Members  of  Parliament  and  social  organizations  regarding  showing  of  historical facts in a distorted manner in the said movie and demanding not to issue the film certificate for its release;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto;
- (d) whether the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has scrutinized the film for certification and if so, the verdict of the Board; and
- (e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken to protect the historical facts during making of such type of historical movies in future?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a) to (e) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT AS REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *98 FOR ANSWER ON 21.12.2017

(a)  to  (c):  Ministry  of  Information  and  Broadcasting  and  the  Central  Board  of  Film Certification (CBFC) have received some representations from social organizations and the general  public  regarding  misrepresentation  of  historical  facts  in  the  film  'Padmavati'  and demanding not to issue the film certificate for its release. Primarily the apprehensions raised are  with  regard  to  distortion  of  historical  facts  and  disrespectful  representation  of  Rani Padmavati in the said film.

Home Department of Government of Uttar Pradesh vide letter dated 15.11.2017 intimated Ministry  of  Information  and  Broadcasting  regarding  probable  law  and  order  situation  that would be faced by Government of Uttar Pradesh in connection with release of 'Padmavati' on various  grounds.  References  from  Hon'ble  Governor  of  Uttar  Pradesh,  Government  of Rajasthan and some of the Members of the Parliament have also been received.

Section 5B of the Act stipulates that a film shall not be certified if any part of it is against the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or involves defamation or contempt of court or is likely to incite commission of any offence. Section 5B(2) of the Act authorises the Central Government to issue such directions as it may think fit, setting out the principles which shall guide the CBFC in sanctioning films for public exhibition. Accordingly, under Section 5B(2) of  the  Act,  the  Central  Government  issued  Guidelines  for  certification  of  films  for  public exhibition in 1991. While certifying a film, the CBFC is guided by these guidelines.

(d) & (e): The application for certification of the film 'Padmavati' (Hindi) in its 3D version was  submitted  to  Central  Board  of  Film  Certification  (CBFC)  on  28.11.2017.  The  film  is under  the process of certification  in  accordance  with  the  Cinematograph  Act  1952, Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983 and the guidelines issued thereunder. A time limit of 68 days is prescribed under Rule 41 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983 for the  certification  process.  In  cases  where  expert  opinion  on  subjects  depicted  in  the  film  is required,  the  additional  time  limit  is  decided  by  the  Chairman,  CBFC.  Such  films  get certification by the CBFC after observing all formalities under the Act and Rules. There is no provision of any kind of supervision during making of a film.

## Further, the exhibition of films is a State subject.

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