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Shyam Benegal-Led Panel Will Bring Positive Changes In Censor Board, Says Farhan Akhtar

Shyam Benegal-Led Panel Will Bring Positive Changes In Censor Board, Says Farhan Akhtar
Indian Bollywood filmmaker Shyam Benegal poses as he attends the screening of his documentary film 'The Master Shyam Benegal' written by Khalid Mohamed and produced by Anjum Rizvi, at a function organized by The Asiatic Society of Mumbai and Mumbai Research Centre in Mumbai on March 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO/STR (Photo credit should read STRDEL/AFP/Getty Images)
STRDEL via Getty Images
Indian Bollywood filmmaker Shyam Benegal poses as he attends the screening of his documentary film 'The Master Shyam Benegal' written by Khalid Mohamed and produced by Anjum Rizvi, at a function organized by The Asiatic Society of Mumbai and Mumbai Research Centre in Mumbai on March 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO/STR (Photo credit should read STRDEL/AFP/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI -- Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar is hopeful that the new Shyam Benegal-headed committee will bring positive changes in the controversy-ridden censor board.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has been at the centre of flak for some time now, owing to its decision from cutting scenes in films like NH 10 (2015) and Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015) to shortening a kiss in Spectre (2015).

The 41-year-old Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013) star feels a rating system should be adopted while certifying a film.

"Everything is work in progress. A new committee has been set up, headed by Mr Shyam Benegal. I would hope some result will come of it that benefits artists.

"In my personal opinion, there needs to be a rating system. We are stuck with the U, U/A and A system, which do not allow that much sensibility. You can't tell a person above a certain age that you are immature to watch a kiss. We don't need to be babysit," Farhan said in an interview.

There were reports that an intimate scene between Farhan and actress Aditi Rao Hyadri in their upcoming film Wazir was chopped off by the board.

The Rock On!! (2008) star denied the rumours but expressed his disappointment with the "inconsistency" in the CBFC's working.

"There has not been consistency in the way the censor board has behaved in the past that can tell you what will be removed. Every single time the people in the committee that come to watch your film, they are not the same people.

"Different members come, hence they have different sensibilities and aesthetics. You can't have a written rule and this is with every art form because context is everything. Snipping has to be done away," he said.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.