Vishal thanks I&B Ministry for ordering a probe into CBFC corruption

Vishal thanks I&B Ministry for ordering a probe into CBFC corruption allegations

The I&B ministry on Friday, 29 September, said that a senior officer has been deputed to Mumbai to conduct an inquiry into the matter.

ByPTI

Published Sep 30, 2023 | 6:30 PM ⚊UpdatedSep 30, 2023 | 6:30 PM

Actor Vishal in 'Mark Antony'. (X)

Tamil actor Vishal on Saturday, 30 September, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for ordering an immediate inquiry into his corruption allegations against the Mumbai office of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

Vishal recently alleged that he had to pay ₹6.5 lakh to the CBFC’s Mumbai office for the screening and certification of the Hindi version of his film Mark Antony. He also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to investigate the “scam” that transpired at the CBFC’s Mumbai office.

Following his post on the microblogging site X, the I&B ministry said the government had zero tolerance for corruption and strictest action would be taken against anyone found involved.

#Corruption being shown on silver screen is fine. But not in real life. Cant digest. Especially in govt offices. And even worse happening in #CBFC Mumbai office. Had to pay 6.5 lacs for my film #MarkAntonyHindi version. 2 transactions. 3 Lakhs for screening and 3.5 Lakhs for… pic.twitter.com/3pc2RzKF6l

— Vishal (@VishalKOfficial) September 28, 2023

Related: Vishal alleges CBFC Mumbai demanded ₹6.5 lakh to clear ‘Mark Antony’ Hindi version

Thanks the ministry

“I sincerely thank @MIB_India for taking immediate steps on this important matter about the corruption issue in #CBFC Mumbai. Thank you very much for the necessary action taken and hoping for this to be an example for every government official who intends to or is part of corruption and to take the honest route to serve the nation and not the steps of corruption,” Vishal wrote on X on Saturday.

“I once again thank my Prime Minister @narendramodi and Maharashtra CM @mieknathshinde and everyone involved in bringing out this initiative immediately. It brings a sense of satisfaction to a commonman like me and others that justice will be served to people who are victims of corruption, Jai-Hindi,” he added.

I sincerely thank @MIB_India for taking immediate steps on this important matter pertaining to corruption issue in #CBFC Mumbai. Thank you very much for the necessary action taken and definitely hoping for this to be an example for every government official who intends to or is…

— Vishal (@VishalKOfficial) September 30, 2023

The I&B ministry on Friday, 29 September, said that a senior officer has been deputed to Mumbai to conduct an inquiry into the matter.

Vishal’s sci-fi film Mark Antony, directed by Adhik Ravichandran, was released in Hindi on Thursday, 28 September. It also features S J Suryah, Ritu Varma, Sunil, Selvaraghavan, and Abhinaya.

According to a senior official, I&B minister Anurag Thakur wants the CBFC to speed up creating a transparent mechanism for faster certification of films in urgent cases and further strengthen the oversight measures.

The minister sought an action taken report on the matter by 16 October.