The film industry’s censor-clock anxiety is back in the spotlight. Barely two years after the Central Board of Film Certification introduced its Tatkaal facility to speed up urgent film clearances, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has scrapped the mechanism, setting off a fresh conversation among producers’ bodies, guilds and trade stakeholders.
As of June 10, 2026, the demand from sections of the fraternity is not for a blanket return to the earlier priority system, but for a tightly controlled emergency route that can be used when films are trapped by circumstances beyond a producer’s control. The concern is simple: release calendars are unforgiving, publicity spends are locked in early, and a certification delay close to release can quickly become a financial nightmare.
Film Bodies Seek Limited Fast-Track Cbfc Window
Industry stakeholders are now discussing a proposal to persuade the ministry to retain a restricted fast-track provision for exceptional cases. The earlier Tatkaal system allowed producers to expedite certification by paying three times the standard examination fee, but its growing use had triggered concerns, especially among smaller and regional producers.
A CBFC insider summed up the industry mood, saying, “The consensus is that the scheme was being misused, but that doesn’t mean it should disappear completely. There are genuine situations where a producer has no control over delays and needs an expedited certification route.”
The cases being cited include court litigation, delayed post-production work, disputes at the certification stage, Revising Committee-related delays and other last-minute contingencies. The push is for documented proof, senior-level approval and a capped emergency quota, rather than a system that becomes the default route for every release.
A producer associated with a leading industry body explained the practical challenge, saying, “Nobody plans to submit a film late. But visual effects get delayed, revising committees ask for modifications. In such situations, an emergency certification window becomes a necessity.”
Why The Tatkaal Scheme Became Controversial
The Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association had opposed the cost burden attached to the earlier system. IMPPA president Abhay Sinha had said in a recent media interaction, “We met Chanchal Kumar, secretary of the I&B Ministry, and informed him that the Tatkal system is causing agony to regional filmmakers. Hence, we requested him to look into it, as it was becoming unaffordable for several producers. Accordingly, they decided to scrap the scheme.”
When asked whether discontinuation would lead to delays, Sinha added, “No. They have assured us that one can get the censor certificate within 20-25 days. Also, if you have published ads and publicity material mentioning the release date of your film, the CBFC officials will ensure that such films get certified in a timely manner.”
Recent certification flashpoints have kept the debate alive. Parasakthi, starring Sivakarthikeyan and Sreeleela, received its censor certificate just a day before release after Revising Committee scrutiny. Jana Nayagan, featuring Vijay, also became part of legal proceedings over alleged certification delays before the Madras High Court directed issuance of a certificate.
The larger industry argument is now about balance: preventing misuse while keeping a safety valve for genuinely distressed releases.
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