Anupam Kher, Madhur Bhandarkar and others welcome Shyam Benegal-led new panel to revamp CBFC

January 3, 2016

Mumbai, Jan 3: "Good beginning to 2016", "Finally, HOPE", "The best decision" and "Welcome move" are some of the expressions that the members of the film fraternity like Madhur Bhandarkar, Anupam Kher, Kabir Bedi and Rahul Dholakia used to hail the decision by the government to form a committee headed by acclaimed filmmaker Shyam Benegal to revamp Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

ShyamBenegal was on Friday appointed to lead a committee to recommend a holistic framework for the country's film censor board and to suggest changes in the Cinematograph Act, so that artistic creativity and freedom are not curtailed.

The committee has been formed upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in the growing issue related to the CBFC.

Bhandarkar, who frames the truth of the society into his films like 'Page 3', 'Fashion' or 'Calendar Girls', tweeted: "Welcome move by @PMOIndia and @arunjaitley ji to appoint noted film maker #ShyamBenegal ji as head of Censor Board revamp panel.#CBFC".

Benegal is a Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner, and is credited with films like 'Ankur' (1973), 'Nishant' (1975), 'Manthan' (1976) and 'Bhumika' (1977).

Dholakia, who is caught up with work on 'Raees' starring Shah Rukh Khan and marks debut of Pakistani actress Mahira Khan in Bollywood, said that 2016 has started on a good note.

He shared: "The censor board to be manthanized by #ShyamBenegal! Good beginning to 2016".

Kabir welcomed the 'good news' by saying that with the appointment comes a ray of hope towards breaking out of the shackles of the censor board. Anupam Kher also called the move as 'the best decision'.

The country's censor board has often faced flak from the society for running its invisible scissors from issuing diktat of cutting short a kissing scene of James Bond film 'Spectre'.

The 'Tum Bin' director Anubhav Sinha wished Benegal luck for his new endevour. He posted: "My best wishes to Shyam Babu. I suspect he will eventually have to deal with Hindutva and Sanskar both."

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri thinks that the move should not be co-joined with politics, as it only aims to do good for showbiz. He said: "CensorRevamp panel is not a committee. It's to abolish censorship. Forget Modi, it's good for us".

Actress and BJP member Vani Tripathi Tikoo feels "Artistic creativity and freedom should not get curtailed, people tasked with the work of certification should understand these nuances #CBFC", while filmmaker Ashoke Pandit also lauded the decision.

'Wazir' director Bejoy Nambiar has also hailed the decision.

"I think that's a great decision. Benegal sir is someone we all look up to as a filmmaker, I know that having him revamp the board itself is a big step in the right way and the right direction," Nambiar said.

"I'm really looking forward to things changing because it's high time we take the censor board a bit more seriously than the way it's been handled in the last couple of months. I'm really forward to what will happen in the future," he added.

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News Network
March 19,2020

New Delhi, Mar 19: As a precautionary measure to combat the spread of coronavirus, Bollywood actors including Preity Zinda, Sidharth Malhotra, and Shraddha Kapoor are maintaining their social distance, while calling on fans to follow health guidelines and maintain good hygiene.

Joining others in sharing what to do while practicing self-isolation at home, Preity Zinda on Thursday took to Instagram and shared a video where she is giving an oil massage to her mother.

In the shared video, the 45-year-old actor was seen at the comforts of her home, giving a good nice 'Champi' to her mom.

She also encouraged everyone to try 'Champi' at home as she suggested it is good for one's hair.

"To keep our heads cool during this home quarantine it felt right to give mom the classic Champi Making the most of staying home & bonding kyuki sir jo tera chakraye, ya dil dooba jaaye- aaja pyaare paas hamare, kahe ghbraye. This too shall pass #day8 #homequarantine #staysafe #oilmassage #covid19 #Staypositive #Ting," the caption read.

On the other hand, actor Sidharth Malhotra is using the self-isolation period to focus this on things one always wanted to do but could not due to time restrictions.

"It's time to take some time off and focus on things we've always wanted to do but never had enough time for. Let's read, reinvent and live our hobbies, spend time with our family and just try to do all we can to stay safe and keep others around us safe too!"

The 35-year-old actor also urged everybody to take measures to avoid the spread of the disease.

"I love you guys, so please take good care of yourself, stay at home, wash your hands and avoid unnecessary travel," he added.

Meanwhile, Shraddha Kapoor has been posting a series of pictures right from the time of her being at home as a precautionary measure from the spread of the virus.

From reading to having a home-made meal to sharing balcony pictures, the 33-year-old actor has made her presence felt online.

On Thursday, the 'Baaghi' actor shared a picture of Bamboo toothbrush, promoting the use of eco-friendly products.

"Being home #BambooToothbrush #Ecofriendly #MorningRitual," the caption read.

According to official data provided by the Ministry of Health, the country has 169 reported cases of COVID-19.

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Agencies
July 29,2020

Patna, Jul 29: BJP MLA Neeraj Kumar Singh Bablu, cousin of Sushant Singh Rajput, on Tuesday said that a huge amount of money has been transferred into the account of actress Rhea Chakraborty from the actor's account.

"An FIR has been filed against actress Rhea Chakraborty by the father of Sushant Singh as a huge amount of money has been transferred into her account and they both have joint accounts for some companies through which cheating has been done from her side," Bablu said.

"This is the issue of probe and police will go there and investigate the matter after that everything will be revealed," he added.

He also said that Karan Johar should also be called in for questioning by the Mumbai Police in connection with Sushant Singh Rajput's death case.

The statement was given in the backdrop of several top film personalities being questioned in connection with the case.

On July 28, an FIR has been registered against actor Rhea Chakraborty under various sections including abetment of suicide on the complaint of Sushant Singh Rajput's father Krishna Kishor Singh, the police said on Tuesday.

It said that a four-member team has been sent to Mumbai following registration of FIR.
"A four-member team has been sent to Mumbai. The team will collect case diary and other important documents from Mumbai Police," Sanjay Singh, Inspector General, Patna Central Zone said.

In the complaint made to Rajeev Nagar police station in-charge, KK Singh alleged that Rhea Chakraborty and her relatives "committed fraud" and "pressurised the actor for financial gains".

Sushant's father alleged that Chakraborty "got in touch with the actor with a motive to establish herself in the film industry using his contacts and she and her relatives started interfering in his affairs".

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News Network
June 9,2020

New Delhi, Jun 9: Multiplex operator PVR on Monday said it has cut salary across various levels, laid off employees and deferred increments during the lockdown to mitigate adverse impact of COVID-19 on the business.

The company said at present it is not generating any revenue from exhibition business and related activities as cinemas across the country are shut following the directions from the regulatory authorities.

According to the company, closure of screens during the lockdown will have a significant negative impact on profitability and liquidity.

PVR has taken measures to reduce its personnel cost, including salary cuts across various levels in the organisation during the lockdown along with "reduction in headcount by way of layoffs/retrenchment" to mitigate the adverse impact of COVID-19 on the business.

Moreover, the board of the company, in its meeting held on Monday has also approved plan to raise Rs 300 crore through rights issue.

"Since Cinema Exhibition is the only business segment, company is currently not generating any revenue from admissions, food and beverage sales or other revenue and cash flow from operations," said PVR in an update.

Beginning from March 11, PVR started closing its screens in accordance with the order passed by various regulatory authorities and within a few days most of our cinemas across the country were shut down, it added.

The company will continue to incur committed cash outflows, including employee salary pay-outs, other overheads as well as payments for older working capital.

"This has and will have a significant negative impact on profitability and liquidity during lockdown and even thereafter till business comes to normalcy," it added.

Further, once the cinemas are re-opened, we may not be able to run our cinemas at normal capacity utilisation levels on account of social distancing measures that cinemas may be required to follow as well as health concerns that the patrons may have, the multiplex operator said.

"On account of this, our revenue and cash flow generation may be impeded even once we are allowed to restart operations," it added.

The company has also deferred decision on on increments to reduce its cost, it added.

PVR has also written to developers for waiving rental and CAM (Common Area Maintenance) charges for the lockdown period.

It is in discussion with developers for reducing rentals post re-opening and has invoked force majeure clause in its agreements with them.

Besides, the company has raised additional borrowings from existing bankers to shore up liquidity.

"As of March 31, 2020 the company had cash and bank balance of Rs 316 crore. As on June 7, 2020 cash and bank balance is Rs 227 crore (including undrawn bank lines)," it added.

Over reopening of theatres, PVR said that the government has come out with a phase-wise schedule.

In these guidelines cinema halls have been kept in the third phase of re-opening, where dates will be decided based on assessment of the situation.

"We are in continuous engagement with all regulatory authorities and hope to receive the necessary permissions for restarting opening in the near future," it added.

Currently PVR operates 845 screens in 176 properties in 71 cities.

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