The new Central Board Of Film Certification (CBFC) order has banned actors from being shown drinking and smoking on screen.

After having an issue with the “lady-oriented” film Lipstick Under My Burkha, objecting to the word “intercourse” in Jab Harry Met Sejal trailer and demanding removal of words like “Gujarat” and “cow” from the Amartya Sen documentary The Argumentative Indian, now has a problem with actors’ on-screen drinking and smoking despite having a warning on the screen.

CBFC Chairman Pahlaj Nihalani said actors who are looked up to by millions should set an example for the society, and that a movie where alcohol is essential to the plot will be given an “Adult” certificate.

“Merely putting a ticker warning at some remote corner of the screen whenever there is smoking or drinking shown is not enough anymore. We feel the superstars who are followed by millions and who set an example in societal behavior must not be shown drinking or smoking on screen unless the provocation for doing so is really strong,” Nihalani said. 

In another interesting turn of events reported, Pahlaj Nihalani, who has become the favorite child of controversy, might have to step down as the chairperson of CBFC. A meeting of CBFC members has been called in Thiruvananthapuram on July 28.

A source at the Ministry of information and broadcasting has told the publication that Nihalani might be replaced.

Regarding his ouster, Pahlaj Nihalani said,

“So far I have not heard of any such plans from the government. I am sure my well-wishers are holding their breath. But they can exhale for now. As far as being asked to relinquish my post as the CBFC chairperson is concerned, I leave the decision entirely to the government. It was they who asked me to take over in January 2015.

The decision to hire me was a complete surprise to me. I immediately took charge and began working to the best of my abilities. If now I am asked to leave, I’d do so just as swiftly, wishing my successor all the best.”

It should be made clear that the CBFC cannot ban films. Their job is to simply certify. But as we saw in the case of the recently-released Lipstick Under My Burkha, the board can also outright refuse to rate films which essentially amounts to a ban, because barring an overruling by a tribunal, the film cannot be released.

If this rule or order passes, then we are not going to see stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan consuming alcohol in their films.

What do you say about this CBFC new rule? Share your views with us in the comments section below.