Context:
The Malayalam film Santuj (earlier titled Janaki v/s State of Kerala) was released in theatres after obtaining CBFC certification but remains unavailable on OTT platforms due to pending legal and regulatory issues. The case has reignited the debate over the different regulatory frameworks governing theatrical releases and OTT content in India.
Explanation:
- The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is a statutory body under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, responsible for certifying films before their public exhibition in theatres.
- Under Section 4 of the Act, films are certified into U, UA (with age-based sub-categories), A, and S categories. The Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023 introduced age-based UA classifications and made certificates valid permanently.
- The CBFC may refuse certification or require modifications under the reasonable restrictions of Article 19(2) of the Constitution, such as public order, decency, morality, sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, contempt of court, defamation, or incitement to an offence.
- OTT platforms are not governed by the Cinematograph Act. They are regulated under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which prescribe a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism and a Code of Ethics.
- The Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023 proposed bringing OTT platforms under a unified broadcasting framework but was later withdrawn after stakeholder concerns.
- The controversy highlights the distinction between CBFC certification for theatrical release and digital content regulation, raising questions about regulatory overlap and freedom of expression.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2026 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040
Information Technology Rules