Need to revisit Cinematograph Act: I&B minister

Against the backdrop of controversy surrounding Kamal Haasan's film Vishwaroopam, I&B minister Manish Tewari today said there was a need to "revisit" the Cinematograph Act to ensure decisions of the Censor Board are implemented.

Against the backdrop of controversy surrounding Kamal Haasan's film Vishwaroopam, Information and Broadcasting minister Manish Tewari on Thursday said there was a need to "revisit" the Cinematograph Act to ensure decisions of the Censor Board are implemented.

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"Time-cinematographic act revisited to ensure implementational integrity (of) certification decisions, otherwise each state would be its own censor (board)," Tewari posted on the social networking website Twitter.

Tewari had said on Wednesday that states should implement the decisions of the Censor Board regarding screening of films but refrained from commenting on Vishwaroopam, saying the matter was in court.

"Since the High court has once again taken the matter within its purview, it would be inappropriate to comment on it. We would allow the High court to take cognisance of the matter holistically and come to whatever conclusion it considers appropriate. Because it's been a tradition that we do not comment on matters which are sub-judice," Tewari had said.

Haasan on Wednesday suffered a setback as the Madras high court stayed the screening of Vishwaroopam.