Actor Vishal Accuses CBFC of Corruption; Prompts Government Investigation

NEW DELHI: Tamil actor Vishal has come forward with serious allegations of corruption against the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has swiftly responded by ordering an investigation into the matter, calling it "extremely unfortunate."

Vishal, known for his roles in Tamil cinema, including the film "Mark Antony," took to his social media to share his ordeal. He made startling accusations against the CBFC, claiming that he had to pay a staggering sum of Rs 6.5 lakh for the Hindi release certification of his movie.

The actor revealed that the filmmakers initially applied for the certification online, but due to a glitch in the system, they were compelled to visit the CBFC office in person. What transpired during this visit left them shocked and dismayed.

According to Vishal, upon visiting the CBFC office in Mumbai, they were presented with an astonishing proposition. The CBFC officials allegedly offered them the option to expedite the certification process by paying a hefty amount of Rs 6 lakh. Faced with this unexpected demand, Vishal and his team felt coerced into complying with the demand.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting responded swiftly to Vishal's allegations, labeling them as "extremely unfortunate." They emphasized the government's unwavering commitment to eradicating corruption and stated that strict action would be taken against anyone found guilty.

To ensure a thorough and impartial inquiry, a senior officer from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has been dispatched to Mumbai. The ministry has also reached out to the Producers Guild of India and the Motion Picture Association, directing them to take necessary actions in this matter.

In a tweet, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated, "The issue of corruption in CBFC brought forth by actor @VishalKOfficial is extremely unfortunate. The Government has zero tolerance for corruption and strictest action will be taken against anyone found involved."

Furthermore, the ministry urged the film industry and the public to cooperate with the inquiry process by providing information about any other instances of harassment by the CBFC. They provided an email address, jsfilms.inb@nic.in, for individuals to report such incidents.

This shocking revelation by Vishal has ignited a debate about the transparency and ethics within the film certification process in India. It has also raised questions about the challenges faced by filmmakers when dealing with regulatory bodies. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's swift response and commitment to rooting out corruption in this case reflect the government's determination to maintain integrity in the film industry.

As the investigation unfolds, the film fraternity and the public await further developments in this high-profile case that has cast a spotlight on the functioning of the CBFC and the broader issue of corruption in the Indian film industry.

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