FCAT Abolished; Filmmakers To Directly Approach High Court

The Film Certification Appellate Tribunal has been dissolved by the Ministry of Law. It was a statutory body constituted to hear appeals of filmmakers distressed by Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) orders. The move was severely criticised by filmmakers and actors.

The Ministry of Law and Justice issued a notice stating the change has been implemented with immediate effect, reports Live Law. With the dissolution of FCAT, producers have to directly approach the high court to address their grievances.

The move was severely criticised by a number of Bollywood celebrities. They took to social media to show their disappointment over the Ministry’s decision.

Here is what they tweeted:

Hansal Mehta questioned the decision and wrote, “Do the high courts have a lot of time to address film certification grievances? How many film producers will have the means to approach the courts? The FCAT discontinuation feels arbitrary and is definitely restrictive. Why this unfortunate timing? Why take this decision at all? (sic)”

Do the high courts have a lot of time to address film certification grievances? How many film producers will have the means to approach the courts? The FCAT discontinuation feels arbitrary and is definitely restrictive. Why this unfortunate timing? Why take this decision at all?

— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) April 7, 2021

Vishal Bhardwaj wrote, “Such a sad day for cinema FILM CERTIFICATION APPELLATE TRIBUNAL ABOLISHED (sic).”

Such a sad day for cinema

FILM CERTIFICATION APPELLATE TRIBUNAL ABOLISHED | 6 April, 2021

https://t.co/MoqSGROdLP

— Vishal Bhardwaj (@VishalBhardwaj) April 6, 2021

Richa Chadha shared a gif,

https://t.co/FUXut8TRJd pic.twitter.com/qN6dT6wmtc

— TheRichaChadha (@RichaChadha) April 6, 2021

Guneet Monga to criticised the move,

How does something like this happen ?

Who decides ? https://t.co/04uXPQx1dW

— Guneet Monga (@guneetm) April 6, 2021

FCAT was established in 1983 under the Cinematograph Act, 1952. Filmmakers could appeal to FCAT against the certification order of the CBFC, its refusal to certify a movie or the modifications suggested by the board.

Some of the examples of FCAT helping filmmakers are: Alankrita Shrivastava approached FCAT in 2017 after the CBFC had refused to certify Lipstick Under My Burkha. FCAT ordered CBFC to grant an A certificate to the film after suggesting a few edits.CBFC also refused to clear Anurag Kashyap’s Udta Punjab in 2016. But it was cleared due to FCAT intervention.

Also Read: Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai: Salman Khan starrer trailer cleared by CBFC?