Dil Raju says new CBFC rules make film release process complicated

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Telangana Film Development Corporation (TGFDC) chairman and film producer-distributor Dil Raju has expressed concerns over the new advisory issued by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

Speaking at a press conference in Hyderabad on Friday evening, he said the new guidelines have made the process of releasing films more complicated.The press conference was organised to celebrate the success of ‘Ramayana: Rise of a Legend’ and ‘Scene’, both of which Dil Raju distributed in the Telugu states. According to a report by Hindustan Times, the Telugu filmmaker was asked about the CBFC advisory and the concerns raised by Malayalam film bodies.

He said that similar representations were being prepared by other film industries.“Yes, it’s happening. After the new rules were announced, releasing a film became quite problematic. Our chamber is also preparing a letter to be sent; representations are going out from every state,” he said.

Dil Raju explains why the new CBFC rules are a concern

Explaining the difficulties faced by filmmakers, Dil Raju said producers would now have to keep their films ready well before the planned release date.

He also pointed out that announcing release dates in advance could become difficult under the new guidelines.“It would be better if these things were smoothed out. Now, we have to keep the film ready a month before its release. As we did before, we cannot announce dates beforehand. We have to submit the film a month beforehand, and once they clear it by that date, we can announce it,” he added.

What are the new CBFC guidelines?

The CBFC issued new guidelines for filmmakers in September, followed by an advisory in October.

Under the updated instructions, filmmakers must submit the final version of their films for certification, including all titles, graphics and sound.The advisory also states that announced film titles and release dates will not be treated as final and may be subject to change. This has raised concerns among producers and distributors, particularly regarding promotional plans and release schedules.

New members inducted into the CBFC

The board also welcomed 18 new members this year, marking its first such expansion since 2017. The list includes actors Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi and Suniel Shetty, filmmaker Pallavi Joshi, music composer Ricky Kej and producer Supriya Yarlagadda.