I&B ministry sends officer to Mumbai to probe actor Vishal’s corruption allegations in opposition to CBFC

On twenty ninth September 2023, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting assured Tamil actor Vishal that the strictest motion could be taken in opposition to the alleged corruption within the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) Mumbai. On twenty eighth September, Vishal alleged that officers within the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in Mumbai took a bribe of Rs 6.5 lakh for the censor certification of the Hindi model of his movie ‘Mark Antony’.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting wrote in a put up on the social media platform X, “The issue of corruption in CBFC brought forth by actor Vishal is extremely unfortunate. The Government has zero tolerance for corruption and the strictest action will be taken against anyone found involved. A senior officer from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has been deputed to Mumbai to conduct an inquiry today itself. We request everyone to cooperate with the Ministry, by providing information about any other instance of harassment by CBFC at [email protected].”

The situation of corruption in CBFC introduced forth by actor @VishalKOfficial is extraordinarily unlucky.

The Government has zero tolerance for corruption and strictest motion might be taken in opposition to anybody discovered concerned. A senior officer from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting…

— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) September 29, 2023

On Thursday, twenty eighth September, Vishal took to X and dropped a video during which he accused the officers from the CBFC of demanding a bribe of Rs 6.5 lakh in change for screening and granting a U/A certificates to his movie.

“Corruption being shown on the silver screen is fine. But not in real life. Can’t digest it. Especially in govt offices. And even worse happening in the CBFC Mumbai office. Had to pay 6.5 lacs for my film Mark Antony Hindi version. 2 transactions. 3 Lakhs for screening and 3.5 Lakhs for certificate,” he wrote He appealed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to look into the matter.

#Corruption being proven on silver display screen is ok. But not in actual life. Cant digest. Especially in govt places of work. And even worse taking place in #CBFC Mumbai workplace. Had to pay 6.5 lacs for my movie #MarkAntonyHindi model. 2 transactions. 3 Lakhs for screening and three.5 Lakhs for… pic.twitter.com/3pc2RzKF6l

— Vishal (@VishalKOfficial) September 28, 2023

“Never faced this situation ever in my career. Had no option but to pay the concerned mediator #Menaga coz too much at stake since the movie released today. Bringing this to the notice of Hon Chief Minister of Maharashtra and my Hon PM Narendra Modiji. Doing this is not for me but for future producers. NOT HAPPENING. My hard-earned money gone for corruption ??? No way. Evidence down for all to hear. Hope truth prevails as always. GB,” Vishal added.

Vishal additionally talked about that he gave ₹3 lakh to Jeeja Ramdas and ₹3.5 lakh to M Rajan. He additionally shared their checking account particulars.

However, director Ashoke Pandit, a former member of CBFC, has mentioned that CBFC doesn’t have officers with these names. While speaking to information company ANI, movie director Ashoke Pandit mentioned, “There are two names he takes in his statement, M Rajan and Jija Ramdas. As per my knowledge, these two are not the employees of CBFC. Accusing a CBFC officer at this stage is not right. But if allegations are being made, then we demand a CBI inquiry because the allegations are very serious. It is obvious that any officer who demands money will not take it (directly) into his account. These two people he named should be asked if they have taken the money on someone’s behalf at the CBFC. High power inquiry should be initiated in this case.”

#WATCH | Mumbai: On Actor Vishal’s allegations on CBFC Mumbai, Film Director Ashoke Pandit says, “… There are two names he takes in his assertion, M Rajan and Jija Ramdas. As per my data, these two will not be the staff of CBFC… Accusing a CBFC officer at this stage is… pic.twitter.com/ZvUnSIKsEU

— ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2023

Even if Jeeja Ramdas and M Rajan will not be CBFC workers, as mentioned by Pandit, it’s attainable that they obtained the cash on behalf of officers. Govt officers are identified to obtain bribe cash by different individuals.

Ashoke Pandit additionally mentioned that he might be writing a letter on behalf of IFTDA (Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association) to CBFC Chairperson Prasoon Joshi demanding CBI probe into the fees.

Mark Antony is a science fiction motion comedy movie which was launched on September 15. It is directed by Adhik Ravichandran and produced by S Vinod Kumar beneath Mini Studio. The film stars Vishal and S J Suryah in twin roles. The film is doing properly on the Tamil field workplace, and the makers are readying to launch its Hindi model.