This refers to the editorial, “long-pending manthan” (January 4). Though the incumbent Central Board of Film Certification Chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani has not been sacked, it is clear that the Government has clipped his wings. Mr Nihalani, ever since he took over office, has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. He made no bones about being a sanskari Censor Board chief. His objection to some cuss words, his penchant to delete repelling scenes, his frequent clashes with his colleagues and his producing a sycophantic video on the Prime Minister himself, apparently didn't go well with film critics and connoisseurs and the Government alike.
The Shyam Benegal committee now has the job to ensure that artistic freedom and creativity of film-makers are not stifled. The committee has to now make sure that subjective, religious or political compulsions do not propel the CBFC to go overboard on its scene-cutting spree. The rest will fall into place.