(This article is authored by Alar)

The Union Cabinet decided on Wednesday to introduce legislation (Cinematography Act 2023) in the upcoming session of the Parliament to combat piracy, which is detrimental to the film and entertainment industries. The new bill which aims to protect the creative field from piracy and introduce five categories of certification for films. 

Instead of the current practice of labeling movies with a "U," "A," or "UA" rating, officials say the bill includes provisions for categorizing films based on age group.  The bill, which will be introduced in the upcoming session of Parliament, proposes to amend the Cinematograph Act 1952 to make unauthorized recording and duplication of film content a punishable offence with imprisonment up to three years and fine up to Rs 10 lakh.

The bill seeks to revise the existing certification system for films by adding three new categories: U/A 7+, U/A 13+ and U/A 16+. These categories will indicate the age group for which the film is suitable, along with parental guidance. The existing categories of U (unrestricted public exhibition) and A (restricted to adults) will remain unchanged.

The bill is expected to provide more clarity and transparency for filmmakers and audiences, as well as ensure that films are not subjected to re-examination by the government after receiving certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Briefing media after the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Anurag Thakur said the bill to curb piracy had been introduced in the Rajya Sabha in 2019.

"The Indian film industry is a crucial part of our cultural heritage, but piracy has been a constant threat to it. The Union Cabinet's approval of Cinematography Act 2023, is a major step forward towards safeguarding and promoting the film industry. The bill, which has been drafted after thorough consultation with the stakeholders, incorporating best practices, will be introduced in the next session of parliament. It will also prove to be a revolutionary step towards promoting Indian films helping local content go global."

"The fight against piracy is a global one but we're determined to protect our creative industry by simplifying lawsimproving the ease of doing business in India. Our efforts have resulted in a significant improvement in our rankings benefitting citizensbusinesses alike," he added.

It's worth noting that in 2021, a number of film celebrities spoke out against this new bill on certification categories. Actor Suriya stated, "The law exists for protecting the freedom of expression. Not to strangulate it." Over 1,400 filmmakers have signed an open letter to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, describing the draft as another blow to the film community. Filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap, Vetri Maaran, Hansal Mehta, Nandita Das, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, and Dibakar Banerjee have also protested the draft amendments.