Latest news with #CinematographAct
Hans India
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Piracy menace continues to torment Indian cinema
Ever since the advent of video recorders over five decades ago, piracy of Indian films, which began with hotly circulated video cassettes, has grown by leaps and bounds. Keeping pace with technology, this worrisome trend for the badshahs of the country's movie industry has morphed and re-engineered itself to eat away a significant portion of the box-office revenues of the handful of hit films over the years. As cyberspace expanded, dedicated websites that specialise in enabling downloading and streaming new movies within hours (at times, even before it formally finds its way into theatres) of its universal release have sprouted uncontrollably. While concerned industry watchers lament about how it ends up as a free source of earnings for shady operators across the globe, the other side has rejoiced at the prospect of watching new releases without having to go through the arduous process of booking tickets, online and offline and spending a fortune additionally in movie halls on snacks and refreshments to enjoy their favourite fare. Once again, the government has moved in after entertainment industry representatives and research outfits of the transnational kind sounding the warning bell, urging them to take up stricter measures to control this menace. As a PTI report said: In a bid to curb digital piracy, the government has amended laws to include jail term and strict fines of up to five per cent of the production cost for those involved in illegal recording and transmission of films. The government brought in these changes to the Cinematograph Act two years ago to strengthen the provisions against film piracy announced Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan in Parliament last week. He said Section 6AA and 6AB of the Cinematograph Act prohibit unauthorised recording and transmission of films. 'Newly added Section 7(1B)(ii) of the Cinematograph Act empowers the Government to issue necessary directions to intermediaries for hosting pirated content,' Murugan said. According to The Rob Report by EY and the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), the Indian entertainment industry faced a loss of Rs 22,400 crore in 2023, primarily due to piracy. The film industry has changed drastically, notably in the new millennium with the explosion of multiplexes and introduction of a customised system of doing business, wherein the exhibitor and producer manage to make money on a pre-arranged sharing formula. This has also meant screening of films across multiple screens, protected with cyber security measures, yet seeing them pirated and plundered by a dedicated set of digital wolves who specialise in spoiling their success parties. Rumours abound that those into this privacy racket have the backing of industry insiders, while a vicious, dog-eat-dog environment exists in the film world. It is not uncommon to hear whispers about how one powerful camp secretly enables these celluloid thieves to pirate ambitious productions of the other camp just to show them their place and keep alive the rivalry; all is fair in love and war. One should say, despite self-righteous protests by film associations and movie moguls, such mercenary, undercutting tactics will continue to be in vogue, with the government throwing the rule book at them and precious little thereafter.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Delhi Police faces a new reality on licences
The Licensing Branch of the Delhi Police is now left with fewer responsibilities after the Delhi government eliminated the requirement of police clearance for eight key trades in the Capital. The unit, which traces its origins to the 1860s—when the British enforced the Serais Act—still plays a key role in important sectors, despite having its responsibilities diminished. Since 2019, the police received over 52,000 applications from restaurants, hotels and other establishments, but rejected 36,900 of them, reflecting a rejection rate of over 70%. (Representative photo) On June 23, Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta announced a regulatory overhaul, revoking Delhi Police's powers to issue a no-objection certificate for seven trade categories: amusement parks, hotels/guest houses/lodges, restaurants, swimming pools, discotheques, video game parlours and auditoriums. On July 1, the Delhi Police removed these services from its website. Senior police officers confirmed that the move, at the lieutenant governor's order, has now been implemented. The website now only has the categories of arms, explosives, cinema and press licence. Last Friday, the licensing of cinema halls and theatres, earlier governed under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, by the Delhi Police, will now fall under the purview of a district-level committee chaired by the district magistrate (DM) or deputy commissioner (DC) concerned. Police have been asked to disengage from issuing licences under the Cinematograph Act. Vikram Singh, former DGP of Uttar Pradesh, said the move has diminished the authority of the Delhi Police. 'Maybe the government should recall its orders. It's not just a question of power or authority; it's a question of gaining more contact, more channels of information, and relevant and reliable information through hotels, restaurants, discos, parks, and other venues frequented by anti-national elements and criminals/gangsters. If the police have some control over these places, it would be in the interest of law and order,' he said. Evolution, through the years Senior Delhi Police officers said licensing has been a key part of policing in Delhi since the 1860s. In 1867, the British introduced the Serais Act, which gave powers to district magistrates to register and inspect all new and old 'Sarais' (inns or establishments) in the city and ensure maintenance by their proprietors and owners. A copy of the act, accessed by HT, states that keepers of Sarais, housing persons and cattle, must inform the police in case of death, infection or contagion at the establishment. A retired police officer who once served as the Licensing Branch's head, told HT: 'We don't have many records from the 1860s, as it was the time when police started lodging FIRs. There was no licensing office or branch. Only a few police constables would help DM and civic authorities inspect lodges.' A major overhaul in the Licensing Branch was made post-Independence, in the 1950s, with the passage of the Arms Act, 1959, and the Cinematograph Act, 1952. Both these acts necessitated the police to oversee trade practices related to arms, ammunition and films. In 1966-67, the Khosla Commission report (set up to oversee problems of policemen) helped reorganise Delhi Police, and eventually led to the passage of the Delhi Police Act in 1978. It brought certain powers, which were earlier with the DM, under the remit of the commissioner of police. Chapter 4 of the Delhi Police Act mentioned 'power to make regulations for regulating traffic and for preservation of order in public places…' as a provision for the Delhi Police, with regards to 'licensing or controlling places of public amusement or public entertainment'. After 1978, the Delhi Police was 'actively' called to inspect lodges, hotels, inns and other trade establishments. The officer cited above said, 'The change emerged from a need for security and law and order concerns. The change started with 10-20 officials, usually low-ranking.' In 1978, a separate department and office were set up in south Delhi's Defence Colony, headed by a joint commissioner or additional commissioner of police. Starting with 10-20 staffers in the 1970s, the present office has more than 150 staffers, comprising officials of ranks of special commissioner, joint commissioner, deputy commissioner and assistant commissioners, among other police officers. Licensing powers were extended to amusement parks, eateries, auditoriums, cinema houses, public theatres and any event venues. Until recently, three ACPs overlooked the inspection and regulation of licences provided to eateries, hotels/motels and amusement parks. The department is now planning to change the roles of its senior officers to reflect the change in their responsibilities. Stringent processing According to Delhi Police data accessed by HT, the Licensing Branch has the highest rejection rate for trade licences among other departments (MCD, DFS, DPCC…). Since 2019, the police received over 52,000 applications from restaurants, hotels and other establishments, but rejected 36,900 of them, reflecting a rejection rate of over 70%. Police said most of the applicants reapplied within three months and were able to secure approvals by fixing deficiencies, such as fixing ventilation, windows, exit spaces, fire equipment, lighting, and electrical issues. In contrast, the Delhi Fire Services had a rejection rate of 11.5% in the same period, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee had a rejection rate of 35.3% and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi 50%. A senior police officer currently deployed with the Licensing Branch said, 'We rejected applications only after inspections. Police inspections are mandatory to see if the establishment has been involved in illegal activities. We check if the establishment is housing criminal/anti-social elements, providing illegal alcohol, facilitating drug activities, or has incorrect rental or property documents. These metrics are also important as during the Independence and Republic Day (security preparations).' Police said the upcoming Independence Day would be the first time in 50 years that the Delhi Police did not have registers of all licensed and offending trade establishments in the city. In the 2005-10 period, police said the Licensing Branch was also overseeing CCTV installation at all establishments, especially the ones operating at night. 'This ensured women's safety and the safety of staff and others. We also check health and liquor licences since they are important for any hotel or eatery. Our licensing teams would also check if each establishment had a DVR storage of 30 days at least…' the second officer said.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Film ‘Udaipur Files' yet to be recertified by CBFC, producer tells Delhi HC
The Delhi high court on Monday refused to stall the release of the movie 'Udaipur Files', based on the 2022 brutal murder of a Rajasthan-based tailor Kanhaiya Lal, till July 30, noting that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is yet to recertify the film despite the Centre's suggested cuts being implemented. Poster of the movie 'Udaipur Files'. (Photo from X) The Centre had on July 21 cleared the movie's release, subject to the filmmaker carrying out six additional edits, in addition to the 55 cuts already implemented. A bench of chief justice DK Upadhyay and justice Tushar Rao Gedela rejected the request to stay the film's release after petitioner, Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind chief Maulana Arshad Madani, sought a hearing on Wednesday, while co-petitioner Mohammed Javed, an accused in the Kanhaiya Lal murder case, requested a stay until then. The movie has been challenged for allegedly vilifying the Muslim community while Javed claims that his trial is at a crucial stage and the movie's release could prejudice his right to fair trial. The bench said that there was no urgency, since the movie could only be released pursuant to certification, which was yet to be granted. 'Please don't get overwhelmed. Argue the matter with ease. The movie will only be released after recertification. You (producer's counsel) say that it (recertification) is pending. As of today, there is no urgency. We can hear the matter the day after (on Wednesday). The film can only be exhibited after re-certification and thus there is no urgency,' the bench said to Javed's counsel Maneka Guruswamy. The petitions were listed before the high court, after the Supreme Court, while refusing to take a call on allowing the movie's release, had requested the Delhi high court to take up the matter on Monday. In its petition, argued by advocate Saumya Dwivedi, Javed asserted that the July 21 order was egregious since the Centre had simply accepted the recommendation of a committee comprising three advisory panel members from the CBFC, without any application of mind. It further stated that the procedure to constitute the Committee was based on a repealed law and was thus flawed. The Cinematograph Act, 1952, the petition stated, does not empower the CBFC to review its own decision. To be sure, the July 21 order was issued in response to the pleas filed by Madani and Javed, seeking cancellation of the film's certification, following the liberty granted by the high court on July 10. The high court on that day, had temporarily stayed the movie's release and allowed Madani to approach the Centre, regarding his concerns. 'The constitution of the committee by the Central Government, in the absence of any applicable provision, amounts to wrongful delegation of powers. The committee was the sole authority who heard and considered the submission of the parties, including the CEO of CBFC,' the petition stated. It added, 'Thereafter, the recommendation of this committee was accepted by the Central government without any application of mind and this amounts to CBFC adjudicating the validity of its own decision to certify the film for public exhibition.' Lal was murdered in June 2022 with a cleaver in Udaipur district of Rajasthan for allegedly sharing a social media post endorsing the disparaging remarks made against Prophet Muhammad by former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma. She made the comments while participating in a television debate in May 2022. The assailants, who were arrested by the Rajasthan police, even prepared a video claiming responsibility for the murder. They even displayed the weapon of offence used for the crime. Considering the sensitivity of the case, the matter was probed by the National Investigation Agency and the accused was charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The trial in the case is pending before a special NIA court in Jaipur.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Udaipur Files producer Amit Jani given 'Y' category armed security cover
Amit Jani , producer of Udaipur Files - Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder , has been granted 'Y' category armed security cover of the Central Reserve Police Force amid the pending case over the film's release. Jani, in a tweet thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for the protection. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Management Data Analytics Data Science Finance Others MBA PGDM Design Thinking Technology Digital Marketing Operations Management Data Science Product Management Leadership Healthcare Project Management Cybersecurity MCA CXO healthcare others Degree Public Policy Artificial Intelligence Skills you'll gain: Duration: 9 Months IIM Calcutta CERT-IIMC APSPM India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK GMPBE India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK General Management Programme India Starts on undefined Get Details — AmitJaniIND (@AmitJaniIND) by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Suffering From Pain After Age 50? Do This Every Morning Wellnee Undo On Friday, a Supreme Court bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said the filmmakers appeal against the high court order staying the release was infructuous as they accepted the July 21 order of the Centre clearing the release of the film subject to six cuts in its scenes and modifications in the disclaimer. The bench further had said it has not expressed any opinion on merit and the high court can adjudicate the issue of stay of release of film. Live Events It also directed Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani and Mohd Javed, who is an accused in the Kanhaiya Lal murder case, to move the high court against the Centre's decision. The Delhi High Court had stayed the film's release on a Madani's plea on July 10, invoking powers of the Central Government under Section 6 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, till the representation is decided by the Central Government, for which the high court granted one week time. The filmmakers claimed to have received a Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certificate with the board suggesting 55 cuts and the film was due to be released on July 11. Udaipur-based tailor Kanhaiya Lal was murdered in June 2022 allegedly by Mohammad Riyaz and Mohammad Ghous. The assailants later released a video claiming that the murder was in reaction to the tailor allegedly sharing a social media post in support of former BJP member Nupur Sharma following her controversial comments on Prophet Mohammed. The case was probed by the NIA and the accused were booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act , besides provisions under IPC. The trial is pending before the special NIA court in Jaipur. (With agency inputs)
Deccan Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Up to three years jail term for those involved in film piracy: Government
The government brought in these changes to the Cinematograph Act two years ago to strengthen the provisions against film piracy.
