This Article is From Jan 08, 2016

Ritesh Sidhwani: Cinema Has Evolved, Censor Board Rules Need Changes

Ritesh Sidhwani: Cinema Has Evolved, Censor Board Rules Need Changes

Ritesh Sidhwani photographed at the screening of the film Wazir.

Mumbai: Producer Ritesh Sidhwani said that that the current guidelines of the censor board are outdated since cinema has evolved and hence needs changes.

Recently, veteran directors Shyam Benegal, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, and ad expert Piyush Pandey were appointed to a panel to handle the revamp of the board as well the Cinematography Act and Ritesh Sidhwani said that even he was invited by these members of the committee from the producer's guild association for a particular initiative recently. (Also Read: Watch Out, Pahlaj Nihalani. Shyam Benegal To Help Fix Censor Board)

"It's basically a process of dialogue and interaction. I'm sure we'll come with a solution. These kinds of hurdles happen. There were rules which were in place, maybe they're old and redundant and which need to be changed because cinema is evolving. I think the problem is that the guidelines were written 25-30 years ago and the person sitting on the board is following these guidelines," said Ritesh at a screening of the film Wazir. (Also Read: Pahlaj Nihalani Defends Himself Over SPECTRE Cuts, Says he Went by Rules)

Central Board of Film Certification head Pahlaj Nihalani, who is in the line of fire for his suggestions to filmmakers regarding cuts and beeps, had also cited these "guidelines' while cutting the duration of the kissing scenes in James Bond's SPECTRE.

Mr Nihalani recently got slammed by Jai Gangaajal director Prakash Jha for suggesting cuts such as beeping the word "saala" which Mr Jha felt would "ruin the texture of the film." (Also Read - Jai Gangaajal Cuts: Nihalani Says Prakash Jha 'Not Telling Entire Truth')
.