‘Mark Antony’: I&B Ministry Responds To Vishal’s Corruption Allegations Against CBFC; Calls It ‘Extremely Unfortunate’

Vishal’s latest flick ‘Mark Antony’ has stirred people from all over. The actor has alleged that in order to gain certification for the release of his film in Hindi, he was allegedly asked for a bribe of Rs 6.5 Lakhs.

Prateek Sur

Updated on: 29 September 2023 4:53 pm

Vishal

Vishal’s ‘Mark Antony’ has suddenly become a hot topic of discussion not just among lovers of Kollywood but all across the country. The actor took to social media to levy corruption allegations against the Central Board Of Film Certification (CBFC) saying that the censor board had allegedly tried to extort Rs 6.5 Lakhs from him in order to greenlight his latest film. Now, the Ministry Of Information & Broadcasting has taken to X (formerly Twitter) and responded to the allegations and called the entire incident ‘extremely unfortunate’.

The Ministry Of I&B wrote, “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 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 jsfilms.inb@nic.in @producers_guild @motionpictures (sic).”

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

For the unversed, here’s what Vishal had posted, “#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 certificate (sic),” he wrote.

#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

He went on to appeal to Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and PM Narendra Modi and requested them to look into the matter.

Vishal went on to add, “Never faced this situation ever in my career. Had no option but to pay the concerned mediator #Menaga coz too much at stake since 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 (sic).”

Let’s wait and watch whether there is any rebuttal or clarification from the CBFC in this matter or not.