New Delhi: Following Tamil actor Vishal’s serious corruption allegations against the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Jointly owned production house Excel Entertainments has jumped into the favour of the board.
The response from Excel Entertainment came after the Information and Broadcasting Ministry issued an Official statement on its Twitter (X) account which said that they had acknowledged Vishal’s accusation against the board and ordered a probe into the matter.
Their statement read “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.”
The issue of corruption in CBFC brought forth by actor @VishalKOfficial is extremely unfortunate.
The Government has zero tolerance for corruption and strictest action will be taken against anyone found involved. A senior officer from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting…
— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) September 29, 2023
The MIB’s post triggered a reaction from Farhan’s production house which replied to the same and wrote, “At Excel Entertainment, we have had a collaborative relationship with both @CBFC_India and @MIB_India since 2001, and we can indubitably attest to their unwavering commitment to transparency and fair management.”
“Throughout our extensive partnership, from our first film, Dil Chahta Hai to our latest, Fukrey 3, we have not encountered any hindrances or practices of corruption.” ” the tweet read further.
At Excel Entertainment, we have had a collaborative relationship with both @CBFC_India and @MIB_India since 2001, and we can indubitably attest to their unwavering commitment to transparency and fair management . Throughout our extensive partnership, from our first film, Dil…
— Excel Entertainment (@excelmovies) September 29, 2023
Vishal’s allegations
Yesterday, Mark Anthony’s actor Vishal took to his Twitter and shared how the CBFC Board in Mumbai forced him to pay 6.5 lakh rupees as a bribe for getting his film screened with a UA certificate in North India. Sharing a video about the same, the 46-year-old actor made an appeal to PM Modi and Maharashtra’s CM to look into the matter and take strict action against the culprits.
Check out the video here:
#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
Along with the videos, Viashal also attached a captain that read, “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’s Hindi version. 2 transactions. 3 Lakhs for screening and 3.5 Lakhs for certificate. Never faced this situation in my career. Had no option but to pay the concerned mediator Menaga coz too much was at stake since the movie was 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”
Notably, the CBFC has not yet responded to any of Vishal’s allegations so far.
