The war between the ministry of health and the ministry of information and broadcasting (I&B) over the new smoking rules for films seems far from getting over.
The I&B has asked the health ministry to make changes in their notification prescribing smoking rules for films. This includes removal of the rule which suggests inclusion of a representative from the health ministry during the certification of film.
While the health ministry had suggested that a representative from their ministry to be included in the regional boards of the Central Board of Film Certification so as to oversee implementation of smoking rules, the I&B has said “that they don’t want a nominee from the health ministry and thus the rule should be removed the notification,” sources in the health ministry said.
In their new rules notified in October last year, the health ministry had said that there should be an invited nominee from their ministry who would sit in the certification meeting to see that the rules are not violated by the filmmakers. “The regional boards have people from the private sector, state government nominees etc. We had suggested of an additional nominee from our ministry. It was in our interest that we wanted the inclusion,” added the official.
The CBFC grants certification to the films before they can be released.
The I&B has also suggested old and foreign films to be out of the ambit of new smoking rules, citing practical problems for these films. In a meeting held recently with the health ministry officials, the I&B had suggested relaxation for these films.
“According to the I&B ministry since disclaimer by foreign actors and scrolling messages in old films will be difficult as they are already certified, they have asked the health ministry for relaxation for these films,” said the official.
According to the new rules every time an actor is seen taking a puff on screen, a prominent scroll warning that smoking is injurious to health will run at the bottom. It was also asked that the actor will personally read out the ill-effects of smoking before the film starts.
There would also be a disclaimer of minimum 20 seconds duration by the actor regarding the ill-effects of the use of such products in the beginning and middle of the film. Also, the names of brands of cigarettes and other tobacco products will also have to be blurred.
“For better implementation, the I&B has also asked the health ministry to define the actor — whether it should be a lead actor or the one who is smoking in the film,” added the official.