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On Wednesday, the central government approved to the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2023, a move that is said to "preserve the movie-going experience" and "curb the menace of film piracy." Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said the bill would be introduced in the upcoming session of Parliament.
The production houses and personalities from the film fraternity welcomed the decision.
Bollywood actor-director-producer Ajay Devgn was one of the first stars to celebrate the news. He wrote: "Kudos to the @MIB_India for proactively making amendments to the Cinematograph Act, thereby preserving the movie-going experience."
Kudos to the @MIB_India for proactively making amendments to the Cinematograph Act, thereby preserving the movie go… https://t.co/FeVNceJJV6
— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) 1681914802000
Actor R Madhavan, who made his directorial debut in 2022 with 'Rocketry: The Nambi Effect', termed it a "brilliant" move. "Union Cabinet approves amendment in Cinematograph Act 1952 to comprehensively curb the menace of film piracy. This is brilliant and much. I awaited and welcome to use. Wonderful proactive action," he tweeted.
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— Ranganathan Madhavan (@ActorMadhavan) 1681912174000
Actress-turned-politician Khushbu Sundar also welcomed the development.
Union Cabinet approves amendment in Cinematograph Act 1952 to comprehensively curb menace of film piracy.… https://t.co/UkAyyf44On
— KhushbuSundar (@khushsundar) 1681927039000
In an official statement, production house T-Series said the measure would help keep piracy in check.
"T-Series supports the government's recent move with the amendment in the Cinematograph Act, 1952 to bring about improvements in curbing the menace of film piracy! This move is very effective as it will not only help in faster growth of the film industry but also boost job creation in the sector," the banner said in the statement.
. #TSeries supports government’s recent move with the amendment in the Cinematograph Act, 1952 to bring about impro… https://t.co/TUiCRZZWXj
— T-Series (@TSeries) 1681915734000
SLV Cinemas, the production banner behind Nani-starrer 'Dasara', said it is "great news for the film industry".
"Union Cabinet approves amendment in Cinematograph Act 1952 to comprehensively curb the menace of film piracy," the tweet read.
Great news for the Film Industry.Union Cabinet approves amendment in Cinematograph Act 1952 to comprehensively cur… https://t.co/7hgr2OcqKo
— SLV Cinemas (@SLVCinemasOffl) 1681909212000
Banner Sri Venkateswara Cine Chitra, production house behind 'Virupaksha', said, "Extremely grateful for the initiative taken by the MIB in the effort to curb piracy. Union Cabinet approves amendment in Cinematograph Act 1952 to comprehensively curb the menace of film piracy."
Extremely grateful for the initiative taken by the MIB in the effort to curb piracy. Union Cabinet approves amend… https://t.co/2XvxKPDxFO
— SVCC (@SVCCofficial) 1681915365000
Production house Sri Sravanthi Movies, owned by Sravanthi Ravi Kishore, also celebrated the update.
Extremely grateful for the initiative taken by the MIB in the effort to curb piracy. Union Cabinet approves amend… https://t.co/2NTtQtKgtb
— Sri Sravanthi Movies (@SravanthiMovies) 1681907668000
According to the news agency PTI, Thakur said, during the briefing, that the bill has provisions to classify films based on age group, instead of the current practice of 'U', 'A', and 'UA'.
'U' is for unrestricted public exhibition and 'A' is restricted to adult audiences, while 'UA' is for unrestricted public exhibition subject to parental guidance for children below the age of 12 and 'S' for special category audiences such as doctors and scientists.
It is learnt that the amendments seek to add new classifications - 'UA-7+', 'UA-13+' and 'UA-16+' in place for 12 years.
A Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in 2019 and the new draft was based on consultations with the film industry and also incorporates the best practices from across the world, the minister said.
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