Movie buffs are in for tough times as censored content are to stay off the Internet. The Central Board of Film Certification, commonly referred to as the Censor Board, has barred filmmakers from releasing chopped off portions online.
From now on, directors will have to provide the CBFC with an undertaking stating they wouldn't release excised content to anybody, especially on the Web, the Economic Times reports. The Punjab & Haryana High Court accepted an affidavit March 2, Wednesday, authorising the board to keep a check on the release of film content online.
"It is submitted that the deponent would ensure that through the undertaking to be submitted by the producers/directors that they would not release the excised portion of the feature/film to anybody," the affidavit read.
This directive was a result of a resumed hearing of a PIL filed in January against "Kya Kool Hain Hum 3" and "Mastizaade." The petitioner had submitted a disc containing scenes taken off YouTube tagging them as "highly objectionable" and "vulgar."
Since there isn't any provision allowing authorities to regulate content on the Internet, the court had instructed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to find a solution. The ministry, along with the board, then devised the "undertaking," which was quick as they didn't have to amend laws.
"Mastizaade" and "Kya Kool Hain Hum 3" are sex comedies directed by Milap Zaveri and Umesh Ghadge, respectively. Although the films couldn't fare well at the box office, they grabbed headlines for the in-your-face humour the trailers and sneak peeks reeked of.
