Poet, lyricist and ad man Prasoon Joshi was surprised, not at being appointed as the new chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), but rather at how quickly it took place.

“I had given my consent but then all this has happened so fast. I am not a big man in the industry. I am a small entity. There are a lot of big personalities who will be around me and I am lucky that I will get to know them and work with them for the betterment of the film industry,” says Prasoon.

Ask him how he plans to discharge his duties and he seems to have the right intentions, but is honest about his lack of awareness of the work involved.

“I really do not know how this work is done, but I do understand that it has to be done and done well. I know what the work is in short, but I need to understand the nitty-gritty of the processes involved. I want to try and make as much difference as I can with good intent. I am still waiting to know when I am supposed to take over,” he admits.

Prasoon understands that the film industry wants much better from a man who has taken over from the controversial Pahlaj “Scissorhands” Nihalani who has taken on many big films and filmmakers.

“I am happy that there are a lot of expectations from me. I respect the film industry a lot. I will try to take the advice of people who have to offer good advice. All the people who can join will make a difference. This work has to be done together. I would want it to be looked at constructively and done to the best of our abilities. I have never shied from taking responsibilities till date,” he states.

Tell Prasoon that the job of the CBFC head is to certify and not to censor, and he seems idealistic, if a bit evasive. “It is too early for me to answer a lot of questions. I will answer them once I get a hold of things.  I am not someone who will sit like an armchair intellectual and just comment on things. I need to take things in my hands get a measure on what a man, an artiste and a thinking person can do and deliver. A man can only try his best. I will use my experience as well as my understanding to the best of my abilities to discharge my duties. But then, I am a sensitive person and I will want to think about others,” he signs off.

— Sanskriti Media