Cannot afford to be iconic monkeys: Kamal Hassan slams Cinematograph bill
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Chennai: Actor-politician Kamal Hassan has joined the filmmakers like Kamal, Vetril Maran and Anand Patwardhan who criticised the Draft Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2021 that gives the Centre the power to make unsolicited cuts in the films.
Taking to Twitter, he posted his objections to the draft Bill.
"Cinema, media and the literati cannot afford to be the three iconic monkeys of India. Seeing, hearing and speaking of impending evil is the only medication against attempts to injure and debilitate democracy." wrote Kamal Haasan.
He also urged others to act and voice their concern for "freedom and liberty".
The draft bill permits Union authorities to reexamine and recertify the movies that had already been cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
Earlier on June 18, the Union authorities had invited feedback from the general public on the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2021, which might be a modification of the Cinematograph Act 1952.
The public can ship feedback until July 2.
The new invoice allows the Union authorities to demand recertification of already licensed movies in case of complaints and can penalise piracy and introduce age-based certification.
Several filmmakers together with Vetri Maaran, Anand Patwardhan and Kamal had earlier raised objections to the Bill.
Documentary filmmaker Anand Patwardhan had called the Bill unlawful and unconstitutional.
"What they are planning is completely illegal and unconstitutional. The Cinematograph Act cannot be unilaterally changed with retrospective effect. The idea that they can recall a certificate that has already been issued, on the basis of a few orchestrated complaints makes a mockery of the process. The RSS or any group that has the ear of the present regime can always mobilize such complaints," he said.
Besides the draft bill, the decision of the Ministry of Law and Justice abruptly ban the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) in April this year has also angered filmmakers across the nation.