Leela Samson as Chief of Censor Board raises doubts

Bharatnatyam dancer Leela Samson has been appointed as the new chief of the Central Board of Film Certification. This news has however, not gone down well by many insiders of the board, who think that a person with film background would have been better suited for the role.

Actress Sharmila Tagore, who is also a chief of the Censor Board also raises a small doubt about the election of Ms Samson. Says the veteran to Indian Express, “Choosing a chairperson is the ministry"s prerogative. I wasn"t part of the selection process. This is certainly a break from tradition. Ms Samson is a high achiever and she will have my help if she so requires."

“A person with a film background should be the chief, because he/she knows the craft and the intricacies of the film making much better than someone who is not from the industry. I am quite surprised by the announcement," says film critic Taran Adarsh.

While, there are other filmmakers and industry specialists who welcome the new change in the Censor Board. They thinks that an outsider in the Censor board will bring more objective to the Censore decisions. Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt says, “It is important to have an outside view to bring more objectivity."

Leela Samson has been chosen for the post against Bollywood biggies like lyricist-filmmaker Gulzar, actor-activist Shabana Azmi and filmmaker Ramesh Sippy, who were also fighting for the title in the Censor board.

Ms Samson is quiet clear about her role as a board member of film censor. Putting his view forward, the dancer says, “My expertise is not in films but I think my role has to do with viewing cinema for its aesthetics."