Announcing the film’s release date even before it reached the Censor Board has put two films -- Srinivas Kalayana and Vardhana -- in the dock. The filmmakers were unable to screen the movies in time this week, thus causing much confusion among theatre goers.
The filmmakers point fingers at the Censor Board for not prioritising their films, citing shortage of members, and say that the regional board members have been ordered by the central office to watch one film a day. The makers of Srinivasa Kalyana were furious when they came to know that the Board members had watched a dubbed film to clear for release, sidelining theirs.
However, the Regional Censor Board Officer, Srinivasappa, has a different story to tell. He tells City Express: “According to the rules, we have 21 days to certify a film and none of the films had been kept waiting for more than 15 days. Whether we watch 1, 2 or 3 films a day is not their concern as long as we keep to the deadline. There is a shortage of members but the work has not been affected. I am now left with just six films (to clear), among the ones submitted to us after Febaruary 6. I still have time.”
Srinivasappa says that filmmakers do not stick to the deadlines. Srinivasappa says, “The copy of the two films, for which the makers announced the release date as February 17, was submitted to us on Febuary 8 and 9. They had not even obtained an NOC (Not objectionable certificate) from other filmmakers who were in the queue before them. That’s why we couldn’t watch the films. They can’t fault us for watching the dubbed movie because they also pay for certification and follow all the formalities. I went by the list.” He says that the filmmakers should have submitted the film two weeks before.
According to the Regional Censor Board’s office, the Film Chamber should tell filmmakers not to announce the release date before the Censor Board has certified it. The two pending films will be certified this week.