Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821 • The Cinematograph Act of 1952 provides for the certification of films for public exhibition in India and regulates exhibitions through cinematography. BANGALORE Suite 920, Level 9, Raheja Towers, 26-27, M G Road, Bangalore - 560 001. Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400 • A Board of Film Certification examines films and grants certificates like U (unrestricted public exhibition), UA (unrestricted public exhibition with endorsements), A (for adults only), or S (for special classes). COIMBATORE BB1, Park Avenue,

1. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
CINEMATOGRAPH ACT
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
P.ILANANGAI
IP CONSULTANT
PATENT DEPARTMENT
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com

2. INTRODUCTION
CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’, • The 1909 Cinematograph Act was introduced in
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
response to concerns regarding the safety of the
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
buildings in which films were shown following a
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
number of incidents involving highly unstable
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001. nitrate film stock setting fire to a number of
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
cinemas.
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
• The 1909 Cinematograph Act brought cinemas
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
under local authority control and required them to
be licensed.
• The Cinematograph Act became enforceable on 1st
January 1910.
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com

3. THE CINEMATOGRAPH ACT, 1952
CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road, • An act to make provision for the
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821 certification of cinematograph films for
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
exhibition and for regulating exhibitions by
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
means of cinematographs.
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com

4. IMPORTANT PROVISIONS OF THE
CINEMATOGRAPH ACT, 1952
CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
• Board of film censors [sec-3]
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821 • The Central Government constitutes a Board
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
to be called the Board of Film Certification for
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
the purpose of sanctioning films for public
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
exhibition.
• The board consists of a Chairman and twelve
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
to twenty five other members appointed by the
Central Government.
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com

5. IMPORTANT PROVISIONS
CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
• Examination of films [sec-4]
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
• Any person desiring to exhibit any film shall in the prescribed
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
manner make an application to the Board for a certificate in
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9, respect thereof, and the Board may, after examining or having
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road, the film examined in the prescribed manner-
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
• Sanction the film for unrestricted public exhibition,
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
• Sanction the film for public exhibition restricted to adults, or
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921 • Sanction the film for public exhibition restricted to members of
any profession or any class of persons, having regard to the
nature, content and theme of the film; or;
• Direct the applicant to carry out such modifications in the film
as it thinks necessary before sanctioning the film for public
EMAIL
exhibition under any of the foregoing clauses; or
info@altacit.com • Refuse to sanction the film for public exhibition.
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com

6. IMPORTANT PROVISIONS
CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’, • Certification of films [sec-5A]
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
• After examination of films, the Board grants certificate to the
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821 person applying for.
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
• The film suitable for unrestricted public exhibition is granted
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
”U” certificate
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400 • The film suitable for unrestricted public exhibition with an
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
endorsement of the nature is granted ”UA” certificate.
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018. • The film is not suitable for unrestricted public exhibition, but is
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
suitable for public exhibition restricted to adults or, as the case
may be, is suitable for public exhibition restricted to members of
any profession or any class of persons, it shall grant to the
person applying for a certificate in respect of the film an "A"
certificate or, as the case may be, a "S" certificate.
EMAIL
• contd…
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com

7. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road, • A certificate granted or an order refusing to grant a
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821 certificate in respect of any film shall be published in
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
the Gazette of India.
• A certificate granted by the Board under this section
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
shall be valid throughout India for a period of ten
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
years.
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com

8. IMPORTANT PROVISIONS
CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’, • Appeals [sec-5C]
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore, • Any person applying for a certificate in respect of a film who is
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821 aggrieved by any order of the Board –
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9, (a) Refusing to grant a certificate; or
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
(b) Granting only an "A" certificate; or
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
(c) Granting only a "S" certificate; or
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road, (d) Granting only a "UA" certificate; or
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921 (e) Directing the applicant to carry out any excisions or
modifications, may, within thirty days from the date of
such order,
prefer an appeal to the Tribunal by a petition in writing and shall
be accompanied by a brief statement of the reasons for the order
EMAIL
info@altacit.com appealed against where such statement has been furnished to the
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
appellant and by such fees, not exceeding rupees one thousand.

9. IMPORTANT PROVISIONS
• Constitution of Appellate Tribunal [sec-5D]
CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
• The Central Government shall, by notification in the
Official Gazette, constitute an Appellate Tribunal
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers, for hearing appeals against any order of the Board
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
under Section 5C.
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
• The head office of the Tribunal shall be at New
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
Delhi or at such other place as the Central
Government may, by notification in the Official
Gazette, specify.
• Such Tribunal shall consist of a Chairman and not
more than four other members appointed by the
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
Central Government.
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com

10. IMPORTANT PROVISIONS
CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
• Suspension and revocation of certificate [sec-5E]
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
• The Central Government may suspend a certificate granted for a period
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821 as it thinks fit or may revoke such certificate if it is satisfied that
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
• i) The film in respect of which the certificate was granted, was being
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
exhibited in a form other than the one in which it was certified, or
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400 • (ii) The film or any part thereof it being exhibited in contravention of
COIMBATORE the provisions of this part rules made there under.
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road, • The Central Government may require the applicant for certificate or any
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921 other person to whom the rights in the film have passed, or both, to
deliver up the certificate and all duplicate certificates, if any, granted in
respect of the film to the Board or to any person or authority specified
in the said notification.
• During the period in which a certificate remains suspended, the film
shall be deemed to be an uncertified film.
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com

11. IMPORTANT PROVISIONS
CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’, • Review of orders by Central Government [sec-5F]
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore, • An applicant for a certificate or any other person to whom the rights
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821 in the film have passed who is aggrieved by any order of the Central
BANGALORE
Government may, within sixty days of the date of publication of the
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
notification in the Official Gazette, make an application to the
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Central Government for review of the order.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
• Penalties [sec-7]
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue, • If any person exhibits or permits to be exhibited in any place any
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018. film other than a film which has been certified by the Board shall be
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three
years, or with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, or with
both, and in the case of a continuing offence with a further fine
which may extend to twenty thousand rupees for each day during
which the offence continues.
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com

12. IMPORTANT PROVISIONS
CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’, • Power of seizure [sec-7A]
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
• Where a film in respect of which no certificate has been
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821 granted under this Act is exhibited, or a film certified as
BANGALORE suitable for public exhibition restricted to adults is exhibited to
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers, any person who is not an adult or a film is exhibited in
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
contravention of any of the other provisions contained in this
COIMBATORE
Act any public officer may enter any place in which he has
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
reason to believe that the film has been or is being or is likely
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921 to be exhibited, search it and seize the film.
• Cinematograph exhibitions to be licensed [sec-10]
• No person shall give an exhibition by means of a
cinematograph elsewhere that in a place licensed under this
Part or otherwise than in compliance with any conditions and
EMAIL restrictions imposed by such licenses. The authority having
info@altacit.com power to grant licenses shall be the district magistrate.
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com

13. IMPORTANT PROVISIONS
CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’, • Power of Central Government or local authority to
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore, suspend exhibition of films in certain cases [sec-13]
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821 • The Lieutenant- Governor or, as the case may be, the Chief
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Commissioner, in respect of whole or any part of a Union
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road, territory, and the district magistrate in respect of the district
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400 within his jurisdiction, any, if he is of opinion that any film
COIMBATORE which is being publicly exhibited is likely to cause a breach
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road, of the peace, by order, suspend the exhibition of the film by
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921 an order for a period of two months and during such
suspension the film shall be deemed to be an uncertified film
in the State, part or district, as the case may be.
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com

14. PROPOSED BILL
CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’, • Three broad features that are being proposed in the new bill
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore, Cinematograph Act 2010 of India are: an emphasis to
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821 contemporize issues, incorporation of technological changes
BANGALORE which have vastly changed since 1952 when the
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Cinematograph Act was enacted and much harsher penalties in
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
cases of copyright violations.
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com

15. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
THANK YOU
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com