Jana Nayagan Controversy Exposes Flaws in India's Film Certification System
The recent Jana Nayagan controversy has starkly revealed a troubling reality. India's film certification process frequently transforms into a form of punishment for filmmakers. A movie gets made and sent to the Central Board of Film Certification for approval. Instead of a smooth path to release, it often faces unnecessary hurdles and delays.
From Simple Process to Legal Maze
Jana Nayagan's journey mirrors this problematic pattern. The CBFC asked for cuts before certification. The examining committee actually recommended the film in December. Yet, the board withheld the certificate. This forced the makers into a tortuous legal battle, postponing the release repeatedly. They first approached the Madras High Court, then faced a reversed order, and finally appealed to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court declined to intervene, directing them to wait for the next High Court hearing on January 20.
This case is not isolated. It highlights a systemic issue where certification becomes censorship.
Ambiguous Laws Enable Arbitrary Decisions
The root problem lies in the Cinematograph Act of 1952. This law empowers the CBFC but uses vague terms like "public order," "decency," and "morality." These ambiguous words get repeatedly exploited. They turn what should be a classification process into a censorship regime. Demands for arbitrary cuts have become routine. Reports indicate these demands have intensified under what some describe as a "one-man show" approach.
Broken Redressal System Worsens the Crisis
The situation deteriorates further due to a crippled appeals mechanism. The government summarily abolished the Film Certificate Appellate Tribunal in 2021. This elimination left filmmakers with severely limited options. Now, if they disagree with a CBFC decision or face a denial, their only recourse is to approach the high courts. This legal route is expensive, time-consuming, and uncertain.
For the Jana Nayagan team, this meant navigating multiple court levels without guarantee of relief. The financial and emotional toll on creators is immense.
Ignored Reforms Shrink Artistic Freedom
Over the years, expert committees have proposed sensible reforms. Justice Mukul Mudgal and filmmaker Shyam Benegal led such panels. They suggested much-needed changes to streamline and clarify the certification process. Unfortunately, their recommendations simply gather dust. No substantive action has been taken to implement them.
As a direct consequence, the space for genuine artistic expression in Indian cinema continues to shrink. Filmmakers work under the shadow of potential arbitrary intervention. Livelihoods hang in the balance. The financial burden of delayed or unreleased films grows heavier with each passing day.
The Jana Nayagan saga serves as a powerful reminder. It shows how a process meant to guide audiences has morphed into a punitive tool. This stifles creativity and burdens an important industry. The need for urgent, thoughtful reform is clearer than ever.
