Film celebrities across India have been taken aback by the newly proposed Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill by the Indian government. If this 2021 Bill comes into effect, censor of movies by the CBFC cannot be appealed against by film-makers easily and if the Indian government wants, can make any changes to CBFC's decision. 

While the general public has until July 2, 2021 to send in its comments on the Bill, film celebrities throughout the country have been voicing their disdain for the same. Multiple national award winning Tamil director Vetrimaaran was quoted by TNM as venting,

"the government can pull out a film that’s in theatres or an OTT platform.. both the filmmaker’s freedom and the film’s revenue are going to be affected. With this kind of a law, there is only going to be one narrative – a pro-government one.. That is dangerous.”

Actor politician Kamal Haasan took to twitter to write:

Please act, voice your concern for freedom and liberty. @MIB_India#cinematographact2021 #raiseyourvoice (2/2)

— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) June 28, 2021

In Bollywood, celebrities like Anurag Kashyap, Farhan Akthar, Hansal Mehta, Zoya Akthar among others have signed a letter that criticizes the proposed amendments. The online letter with over 1400 signatories from different walks of life was drafted on June 27, 2021 and reads,

"Undermining the sovereignty of the Censor Board and the Supreme Court, this provision will effectively give the Central Government supreme power over cinema exhibition in the country potentially endangering freedom of expression and democratic dissent..

This will also render filmmakers powerless at the hands of the state as more vulnerable to threats, vandalism and intimidation of mob censors."