The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has introduced revised film certification guidelines for the first time in nearly 35 years, bringing a new set of provisions for films depicting drugs while retaining several existing rules on violence, sexual content, communal issues and national security. The guidelines were notified by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on September 16 under the Cinematograph Act.

New rules introduced after 35 years

One of the key changes is the introduction of a mandatory anti-drug warning for films that depict the consumption, use or trafficking of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances. Such scenes will have to carry the prescribed message: “Illicit Narcotics Destroy Health and Guarantees Imprisonment. Say No to Drugs.” Earlier guidelines already stated that drug addiction should not be encouraged, justified or glorified, but did not mandate a specific on-screen warning.