Kamal Haasan demands 'principled relook' at film certification process
Chennai (PTI): Actor-politician Kamal Haasan on Saturday called for a revamp of the country’s film certification system, citing the need for greater transparency and accountability.
His remarks come amid a critical moment for the Tamil film industry, following the stalled release of Vijay’s upcoming film 'Jana Nayagan'.
In a statement, Haasan said, "India’s Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, guided by reason, never diminished by opacity. This moment is larger than any one film; it reflects the space we accord to art and artists in a constitutional democracy."
He underlined that cinema is not the labour of an individual alone but a collective effort involving writers, technicians, performers, exhibitors, and small businesses whose livelihoods depend on a fair and timely certification process.
"When clarity is absent, creativity is constrained, economic activity is disrupted, and public trust is weakened. What is required now is a principled relook at the certification process, with defined timelines, transparent evaluation, and written, reasoned justification for every suggested cut or edit," he said.
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Haasan added that cinema lovers in Tamil Nadu and across India bring passion, discernment, and maturity to the arts and deserve openness and respect.
He emphasised that the film fraternity should now unite and "engage in a meaningful, constructive dialogue" with government institutions to protect artistic freedom.
"Such reform will safeguard creative freedom, uphold constitutional values, and strengthen India’s democratic institutions by affirming trust in its artists and its people," said Haasan, who is also a member of the Rajya Sabha.
Directed by H Vinoth, who previously made films like 'Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru' and 'Nerkonda Paarvai', 'Jana Nayagan' stars Mamitha Baiju, Pooja Hegde, Priya Mani, and Bobby Deol in prominent roles.
Bankrolled by KVN Productions, the Vijay-starrer was slated for release on January 9. Reports suggest the film is loosely based on Nandamuri Balakrishna’s National Award-winning 'Bhagavanth Kesari' (2023), although the makers have neither confirmed nor denied this.
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Centre spent Rs 76.13 lakh on print media ads for RSS centenary, reveals RTI
New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Culture allegedly spent Rs 76.13 lakh on print advertisements marking the 100-year celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), according to a Right to Information (RTI) reply.
The information was sought by RTI activist Ajay Basudev Bose, who filed an application seeking details on expenditure incurred by the ministry for advertisements commemorating the RSS centenary.
Bose shared a picture of the reply from the ministry on his official ‘X’ handle.
“It is informed that an amount of Rs 76,13,129 has been spent on advertisement given in various print media by the Ministry of Culture on the occasion of the completion of 100 years of RSS,” the government’s reply stated.
RTI reply shows Min of Culture Govt of India spent a Whopping Rs 76L,13K,129 on Advertisement in Print Media on occasion of 100 yrs of #RSS
— AJAY Basudev Bose (@AjayBos93388306) April 16, 2026
When Everyone knows RSS is Not Registered & Does not Pay any Tax is it justified to spend Tax Payers Money on such Private event??@RSSorg… pic.twitter.com/dW4IUtdNCg
Bose questioned the expenditure in the post X, “when Everyone knows RSS is Not Registered & Does not Pay any Tax is it justified to spend Tax Payers Money on such Private event??”
Reacting to the development, Karnataka’s IT-BT and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge also criticised the spending.
In a post on X, he asked why public money was being used for what he described as a “private ideological project.”
"Modi Sarkar spent Rs 76,13,129 of public money on newspaper advertisements to celebrate 100 years of the RSS. Why is Government spending taxpayers money on an unregistered, non-tax-paying organisation to celebrate their centenary?," he added.
Why is public money being used to serve a private ideological project?
— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) April 16, 2026
Modi Sarkar spent ₹76,13,129 of public money on newspaper advertisements to celebrate 100 years of the RSS.
Why is Government spending taxpayers money on an unregistered, non-tax-paying organisation to… pic.twitter.com/EoZ6Pim3IM
According to reports, the RSS describes itself as a volunteer-based organisation and has stated that it functions as a body of individuals rather than a registered entity.
Founded by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in 1925, the organisation is marking its centenary year beginning from Vijaydashami in 2025, with the milestone observed on October 2.
