The Central Board of Film Certification is expected to introduce a system of priority screening of films from next month. Producers wishing to avail of the facility would be required to pay three times the usual charges for the screening of their films.
The priority screening scheme, it is learnt, does not provide for priority in clearing the film. In other words, the extra payment will guarantee a producer an accelerated viewing of his film but it could still result in delayed passing of the film.
While big producers would be able to afford paying treble the usual charges if they want their film to be seen by the CBFC’s examining committee on a priority basis, producers of smaller films would indirectly be adversely affected by this on two counts: firstly, they may not be able to afford the high charges; secondly, if their film is in the queue for screening, it would automatically be pushed back if and when a producer applies for priority viewing unless, of course, the priority viewing will not disturb the screening of films in the normal course.
INORDINATE DELAYS
As it is, producers are agitated by the delays in certification of their films. Why, even trailers are not being cleared without delays. Know-alls feel that the regional officer at the Bombay CBFC office can’t see eye to eye with the newly-appointed CEO, resulting in delays. One doesn’t know if the friction between the two important officers is for real and if it is, in fact, leading to delays but whatever the cause, the producers are at the receiving end!