Film Chamber opposes CBFC's new advisory, warns of huge losses from title changes

KOCHI: The Kerala Film Chamber has expressed its opposition to the new advisory issued by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) regarding film certification and urged the board to reconsider its directives. General Secretary Sony Thomas John wrote to CBFC CEO Rajendra Singh, conveying the Chamber's concerns over the matter.

The CBFC issued the advisory on October 26, outlining revised requirements for film certification. This came after the board was reconstituted with 18 members. According to the advisory, titles mentioned in promotional materials or certification applications cannot be considered final, and the Examining or Revising Committee has the authority to scrutinise, review and modify them.

The advisory also states that certification will not be expedited to accommodate a film's announced release date and that films must be submitted in their complete and final form. Applications for works-in-progress films will no longer be accepted. The Film Chamber has demanded a reconsideration of these directives.

In his letter to the CBFC, Sony Thomas John pointed out that films are submitted for certification only during the final stages of production. He warned that any suggestion to change a film's title at this stage could result in substantial financial losses for producers.