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Fire not banned, says Mahajan
New Delhi, Dec 7:
The controversial film Fire has not been banned, but only referred to the Censor Board for re-examination and review, Information Minister Pramod Mahajan said here on Monday. He said the Government has the powers to refer a film to the Central Board of Films Certification (CBFC) (Censor Board) for re-examination even after it had been cleared for public screening. The minister said this soon after assuming charge of his office.
Mahajan said though the Government was in favour of films portraying reality, it would have to step in if any film or artistic work encouraged tendencies of sex and violence in society.
The public screening of Fire had been strongly objected to by the Shiv Sena whose workers had ransacked cinema halls in Mumbai and Delhi where it was being shown. The film had also been objected to in West Bengal and Punjab, according to latest reports reaching here.
Mahajan said films are also important for earning foreign exchange. Therefore, his ministry would play a crucial role in promoting the film industry in the country.
He said that the right to information is the basic right of the people and the Ministry would endeavour to create an atmosphere in which correct information reaches the people.
PTI
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