Mark Anthony actor Vishal thanks PM Modi for immediate action in CBFC corruption row

New Delhi: After popular Tamil actor Vishal shook the entire film industry with his recently made corruption allegations against the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) quickly swung into action and initiated an investigation into the matter on Friday.

For the unversed, Vishal on Tuesday dropped a video in which he alleged that the officials of the board compelled him to pay  Rs 6.5 Lakh as a bribe for allowing the movie Mark Anthony’s screening with a U/A certificate in North India.

Now, the actor has once again taken to his Twitter (X) and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and MIB for taking his words seriously and initiating action on the same. In his tweet, Vishal wrote, “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 hope 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. I once again thank my Prime Minister @narendramodi and Maharastra CM @mieknathshinde and everyone involved in bringing out this initiative immediately. It brings a sense of satisfaction to a common man like me and others that justice will be served to people who are victims of corruption, Jai-Hind”

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

Previously, the actor used the same microblogging site to accuse the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) by dropping a video about the same on Thursday.

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

Responding to Vishal’s video, the MIB issued an office statement on its Twitter (X) handle and emphasized its zero-tolerance policy towards regarding corruption. The Ministry further assured the Mark Anthony actor that they would be taking strict actions against anyone who was found involved in corruption.

Their official 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. We request everyone to cooperate with the Ministry, by providing information about any other instance of harassment by CBFC”

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

Vishal on the work front

Meanwhile, Vishal’s latest theatrical venture Mark Anthony has received a positive response from moviegoers and critics. In just a matter of 13 days, the sci-fi actioner has managed to pull a decent crowd into the theaters and amassed a sum of Rs 66 crore at the Box Office. The film boasts a stellar cast of Vishal, S. J. Suryah, Ritu Verma, Sunil, and Abhinaya in pivotal roles.

It is produced by S Vinod Kumar who released the film under the banner of of Mini Studios on 15 September.