Tollywood Censors take right turn

Hyderabad: The ministry of information and broadcasting has appointed 41 new advisory panel members, mostly local leaders of the BJP and its affiliated wings like the Mahila Morcha, SC Morcha and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, for the Hyderabad regional office of Central Board of Film Certification that reviews and certifies Tollywood films. The fate of the around 55 members who were appointed as advisory panel members during the Congress regime now hangs in balance as their extension orders issues last year stated that “they would be continued until further orders”.

While the total number has gone up to 96 in the CBFC regional board, most of the new appointees are political leaders of the BJP from Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and Nalgonda districts. The tenure of previously appointed members finished last year but the Central board is yet to issue termination orders so they are being continued along with the new members, thus causing a rift.

Local officials of CBFC had written to the Centre seeking clarification on continuing the old members appointed during the Congress regime.

Newly-appointed advisory panel member and BJP Mahila Morcha Greater Hyderabad president Bandari Radhika said, “Out of 41 members appointed, there are BJP and RSS leaders but even professionals like doctors. We have complained to the BJP spokesperson regarding continuation of the old members. They haven’t been called for the past few film reviews. We have enough knowledge about our traditions and customs, and we know what is vulgar, in both dress and words. So criticism that we don’t have film knowledge doesn’t stand.”

Recent appointees are from BJP
BJP Mahila Morcha Greater Hyderabad president Bandari Radhika said BJP national executive member Aruna Jyothi, Amrutha, Umamahendar, Atluri and Radhakarishna of the BJP, Vijaya Bharathi of the RSS, B. Pratap of the BJP SC Morcha, Ravi Prasad Goud, vice-president of city BJP and Sadhana Takur, vice-president of the BJP were some of the new members.

Former advisory panel member and writer Balabadrapatruni Ramani said, “I have come to know that most of the recent appointees are from the BJP. There are more political appointments than experts from all walks of life. Earlier, the Congress did the same. On what basis should they be on the board is a big question. My tenure has not been extended as I was insisting that the regional officer should take the views of members while issuing certificates.”

CBFC regional board claims that 20 per cent of its members are related to the film industry, but they are not popular figures. Actor Shivaji Raja, Suresh Mysore, Tripuraneni Sri Prasad and Bhanuchandar are the prominent film figures while the others are little known, kin of film personalities, like Paruchuri Vijayalakshmi, wife of writer Paruchuri.

Veteran filmmaker Tammareddy Bhardwaja said, “Appointment of jumbo boards started during the previous regime of the BJP and was continued by the Congress government. It has become a means for employing the politically unemployed. We have been asking the governments to appoint professionals but it is not happening.”


 

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