Shyam Benegal to head panel to revamp censor board

The information and Broadcast ministry on Friday constituted a panel under director Shyam Benegal to give recommendations for restructuring of censor board, which has been mired in controversies in the recent past.

The panel, which would submit its report in two months, includes filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, adman Piyush Pandey and film critic Bhawana Somaaya.

Apart from these, National Film Development Council MD Nina Lath Gupta and Joint Secretary (Films) Sanjay Murthy would also be part of committee.

A statement by Information & Broadcasting Ministry here said the panel has been formed "in sync with the vision" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The recommendations of this Committee are expected to provide a holistic framework and enable those tasked with the work of certification of films to discharge their responsibilities keeping in view this framework, the statement said.

The panel will also suggest changes in the Cinematograph act.

Shyam Benegal confirmed that he had received a communication from the government in this regard.

"Information and broadcasting ministry asked if I am ready to be a part of a committee to look into changes for Central Board of Film Certification, I said yes," Shyam Benegal said.

"Beyond that I have no idea about the agenda of committee. Once everything will be clear on paper then I'll be able to say more," he said.

Information and broadcasting minister Arun Jaitley had recently hinted at the makeover of the board to make it "controversy-free".