Vidya Balan is glad that CBFC board has like-minded people

Vidya Balan is one of the newly-appointed members of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the actor says she is happy that the board comprises “likeminded” people. Recently, lyricist-adman Prasoon Joshi replaced Pahlaj Nihalani as the chairperson of the CBFC. The government also reconstituted the board, which now includes members such as filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, Narendra Kohli, Vani Tripathi Tikoo, Gautami Tadimalla, among others. Asked about her decision to be a part of the CBFC, Vidya said, “I thought if I don’t say yes to this, I’d lose the right to criticise any decision ever taken by the CBFC. I thought I was ready to take the responsibility.” “I don’t want to say anything about what our approach is going to be or what our decisions are going to be based on. But we had a meeting recently and I felt good that all likeminded people are on board,” she said. The Begum Jaan actor said that she believes that there is a shift in the content of films being made nowadays, and the focus is on bringing “relevant stories” to light. Refusing to comment on why several big-ticket films this year, like Salman Khan’s Tubelight, and Shah Rukh Khan’s Jab Harry Met Sejal had failed at the box-office, Vidya said, “If a film is good, it doesn’t matter if there are big stars or not. It will always manage to connect and do well.”

I thought if I don’t say yes to [being a member], I’d lose the right to criticise any decision ever taken by the CBFC VIDYA BALAN, ACTOR

PHOTO: PRODIP GUHA/HT