Film censorship’s past in India is as multifarious and complicated as the nation itself. Political, social, and cultural variables have shaped the major changes in content regulation since the early 20th century arrival of Indian film.
1950s to 1970s: the forming years
Beginning the “Golden Age” of Bollywood, Indian film started to bloom in the 1950s. Still, this time was marked by the development of a strict censorship policy. Established under the Cinematograph Act in 1952, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), sometimes known as the Censor Board, The main responsibility of the CBFC was to control and certify movies for public release, therefore guaranteeing adherence to moral, social, and cultural standards. Influenced by the conservative perspective of the time, the early years witnessed rigorous rules aiming at preserving decency and stopping the dissemination of immorality.
1980s and 1990s: Political influences and liberalisation
Film censorship in India in the 1980s and 1990s was much influenced by the political scene there. Under the Emergency (1975– 1977), censorship evolved into a weapon for political control as the government tightly regulated media and movies to stifle opposition. Following an emergency, there was a slow turn toward more liberal ideas. Particularly the 1990s were a time of economic liberalization that, together with globalization, raised Western media and cultural exposure. Though contentious topics like sexuality, politics, and religion were strictly controlled, this era saw a minor loosening in censorship policies.
2000s to Now: Digital Age and Shifting Standards
The twenty-first century has presented fresh difficulties and adjustments to Indian cinema censorship. The terrain has been fundamentally changed by the explosion of digital media and streaming services. With demands for more liberal and progressive criteria, the CBFC’s work has come under close inspection. Landmark movies such as “Fire” (1996) and “Lipstick Under My Burkha” (2016) have pushed the envelope of censorship and spurred national discussions on freedom of speech against cultural sensitivity.
Significant changes like the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, which aims to modernize the censorship system and lower the arbitrariness of film certification, have come about recently. Along with the emergence of streaming companies like Netflix and Amazon Prime, a parallel system of content control—often more relaxed than in conventional movie theater—has resulted.
