Kamal Haasan flags lack of clarity in film certification; stresses industry dialogue with govt
He pointed to a lack of “clarity” in the certification process, adding that cinema lovers deserve “openness and respect.”
Actor and Member of Parliament (MP) in the Rajya Sabha, Kamal Haasan, has flagged the need to relook at film certification, including suggestions for cuts and edits, citing the livelihoods of those involved in filmmaking. He also underscored the need for industry-wide dialogue with the government.
In a statement dated January 10, 2026, posted on his X account, Kamal 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 art and artists in a constitutional democracy,” he added.
Haasan highlighted that cinema is not the labour of one person but the “collective effort of an ecosystem of writers, technicians, performers, exhibitors, and small businesses whose livelihoods depend on a fair and timely process.”
He pointed to a lack of “clarity” in the certification process, adding that cinema lovers deserve “openness and respect.”
“When clarity is absent, creativity is constrained, economic activity is disrupted, and public trust is weakened. Tamil Nadu and India’s cinema lovers bring passion, discernment, and maturity to the arts; they deserve openness and respect,” the statement read.
“What is required now is a principled relook at the certification processes with defined timelines, transparent evaluation, and written, reasoned justification for every suggested cut or edit,” he added.
Further, Haasan said that it was also a moment for the entire film industry to unite and engage in meaningful, constructive dialogue with government institutions.
“Such reform will safeguard creative freedom, uphold constitutional values, and strengthen India’s democratic institutions by affirming trust in its artists and its people,” he added.
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