Why do govts ban films passed by CBFC : Yash Chopra

Mumbai, Mar 25 (UNI) Expressing anguish over the increasing trend of banning films by various state governments for ''maintaining law and order'', veteran film-maker Yash Chopra today urged the Union Government to initiate concrete measures to check it.

Addressing the inaugural session of the three-day FICCI-FRAMES, annual convention on the business of Indian Entertainment and Media (E&M) Industry here, Mr Chopra, who is also the FICCI's Entertainment Committee Chairman said, without reason governments are banning films passed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). This had caused not only immense loss but also unnecessary harassment to the Indian Entertainment Industry.

''After all the Censor Board is also a body constituted under law by the Government,'' he said without naming any film banned by the Government.

He suggested that the Union Government should consult the Chief Justice of India to find a solution to end such problems.

''I have also approached the CBFC Chairman Sharmila Tagore in this regard,'' he added.

Responding to Mr Chopra's concerns, the Union Information and Broadcasting Secretary Asha Swarup told the session, in recent past two films, 'Aaja Nachle' and 'Jodhaa Akbar' were banned by various state governments following law and order problems. Disapproving such a ban she said the government shall take note of the concerns of film industry.

''As a citizen, one can say that there was nothing wrong in those films,'' she added.

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