Ricky Kej on joining CBFC: ‘Protecting children does not mean sanitising cinema for adults’

Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej has joined the newly restructured Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). He recently commented on the revised guidelines that include age-based classifications for films, following the Cinematograph Act amendments in May 2023. Ricky Kej believes the expanded age classifications can reduce the need for editing and give parents better insight into what their children should watch.

His focus as a board member is to ensure accurate classification for parents' informed decision-making and to minimize the need for edits to mature content. However, he clarifies that protecting children doesn't mean sanitizing films for adults, which was reiterated to NDTV. Recent successes of A-rated films like "Animal" and "Dhurandhar" suggest a growing trend in this category.

The CBFC now uses UA 7+, UA 13+, and UA 16+ classifications to advise parents or guardians about allowing children below certain ages to watch specific films. The CBFC's certification guidelines emphasize avoiding the glorification of anti-social activities, depiction of criminal modus operandi, and scenes promoting drug addiction.

The latest guidelines also require warning labels for scenes involving the consumption, use, or trafficking of narcotics.