The Union Cabinet on Wednesday (April 19) approved the Cinematography (Amendment) Bill 2023, The Times of India (TOI) reported. The bill is likely to be tabled in the monsoon session of parliament and contains provisions for stricter penalties for crimes such as film piracy. The bill may also introduce new age group categories to classify various films.

According to reports, the bill may mainly target movie piracy and restrict the distribution of pirated movies, which would cause economic losses to the movie industry.

The draft of the document is not in the public domain, but the government has highlighted points to address issues related to film certification. The report said the government plans to introduce a new age-based classification of film certification, splitting the existing UA categories into three age-based categories, namely seven years old (UA7+), 13 years old (UA 13+) and 16 years old (UA 16+), replace the previous 12-year category.

The amendments also include unauthorised recording and showing of films, tougher penalties and a mechanism for the government to prevent websites from offering unauthorised copies of films.

The earlier bill, which limited the validity of CBFC certificates to 10 years, will now be in effect permanently, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter. The bill makes several changes from its previous version, including a provision that empowers the government to re-examine already passed films. This part of the proposed legislation has faced strong opposition from the film industry.