Shyam Benegal’s report in cold storage

The censor board is likely to continue making cuts in movies as before with the Narendra Modi government putting the Shyam Benegal panel’s recommendation to limit its role to being a certification authority in cold storage. The committee submitted its report in April, and sources now say it is unlikely to be implemented.

It is learnt senior government officials had objected to curtailing the powers of the Central Board of Film Certification, fearing it would open a Pandora’s box.

Discussions were held at the highest level on a recent case — Dance of Democracy: Battle for Banaras — which is yet to be released as the CBFC refused to clear it, finding it “inflammatory” and “unsuitable for a general audience”, and suggesting several cuts.

The film was found to be skewed in favour of Arvind Kejriwal, and showing his opponent, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a bad light.

The Benegal committee was set up by the I&B ministry on January 1 this year to take a relook at the CBFC’s functioning. Speaking to this newspaper, Mr Benegal said he had submitted the first part of his report to the government. “It is up to the government to take a decision, and as a committee member I would not like to comment,” he said.