With the controversy over broadcasting of adult films, like Vidya Balan starrer Dirty Picture on television, the government is finalising a proposal to establish film certification norms for television broadcasting of such films.
Sources stated that the three options being looked at by the I&B ministry and law ministry are to allocate a time slot for adult certified films (the time slot being looked at is between 11 pm and 5 am), to allow modified telecasting of these films and the third option being not to allow telecast of hard core adult movies like Gangs of Wasseypur and Jism 2, which cannot be modified for TV viewing.
At this juncture laws are insufficient in dealing with certification and broadcasting of adult films on television, the I&B ministry and law ministry are holding consultations to find a solution to the issue.
The I&B ministry is also understood to have told the Central Board of Film Certification to start a process of certification of films for television again. The process was stopped by CBFC a few weeks ago after its run in with the film industry.
With over 200 films being certified as adult each year, the government wants to put in place a system to classify film certification norms for television broadcasting. Sources stated that most film producers and directors were not in favour of deleting adult content, dialogues and scenes, from their films. “They go in for adult certification. The CBFC on its part has also been liberal with movies like Delhi Belly, Gangs of Wasseypur and Jism 2 being cleared without any cuts,” sources added.
Television is being considered as the new and emerging big market for adult films with most of these raking in additional `20-30 crores as telecast fees.
With no legal mechanism currently available to govern such film broadcasts it was felt that the government needs to take up the issue urgently. The channels are also likely to be advised to clearly state ahead of adult movies that their content has been modified for television viewing.