Tamil actor Vishal alleges corruption in CBFC, Centre initiates inquiry
The Hindu
Actor-producer Vishal disclosed he paid a bribe of Rs. 6.5 lakh to the CBFC’s regional office in Mumbai to obtain a censor certificate for the Hindi version of his film ‘Mark Anthony’
Tamil actor-producer Vishal has accused the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in Mumbai of demanding and accepting bribes.
In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Vishal levelled corruption charges against the CBFC’s regional office in Mumbai, claiming that he and his team were asked to pay a Rs. 6.5 lakh bribe to obtain a last-moment U/A certificate for the Hindi version of his recently-released film, Mark Antony.
Rs. 3 lakh was paid to screen the film and another Rs. 3.5 lakh for the certificate, Vishal disclosed, adding that they were left with no option but to give in to the CBFC’s demands.
He urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take cognizance of the matter and protect other film producers from this ‘scam’.
Film bodies like the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) and the Indian Film & Television Director’s Association (IFTDA) also wrote to CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi demanding a serious inquiry into the allegations.
The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B), in response, said that the government has ‘zero tolerance’ for corruption and promised stringent action against the culprits.
“A senior officer from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has been deputed to Mumbai to conduct an inquiry today itself,” the I&B Ministry wrote in a tweet.
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