Request from OFTDA for Appointment of Regional Officer in CBFC

Bhubaneswar: Due to the absence of a Regional Officer in the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), commonly known as the Censor Board, uncertainty has arisen regarding the release of films that are ready for upcoming festivals. As a result, censoring of Odia films has come to a halt, causing delays in the release of many movies and significant financial losses to the Odia film industry.

Earlier, the Odisha Film Producers and Distributors Guild (OFPDG) had written a letter to the Prime Minister, highlighting the issue, but no resolution was achieved.

Now, once again, the Odia Film and Television Directors’ Association (OFTDA) has sent a letter to CBFC Chairman Mr. Prasoon Joshi in Mumbai. The letter was jointly written by OFTDA Chairman Himanshu Shekhar Khatua, President Sabyasachi Mohapatra, Vice Presidents Bobby Islam and Debu Pattnaik, and General Secretary Tapas Sargharia.

In the letter, it was mentioned that earlier Mr. Girish Chandra Dash had served as the Regional Officer of the CBFC. Since his retirement on June 1, 2025, no new Regional Officer has been appointed to fill the position. Consequently, no film in the state can be released without a censor certificate during the upcoming festival season. This has resulted in financial losses for producers and other stakeholders.

Due to the absence of a censor officer, the censor process for Odia films has been delayed significantly, causing operational challenges and financial strain for producers and associated parties. For smooth film releases and planning, timely certification is crucial. As a result, many Odia film projects such as “Chi Re Nani,” “Nabakalebara,” and “Ladhei” have not been able to secure certification.

Moreover, the functioning of the CBFC office has become arbitrary. Therefore, OFTDA members have urged that a Regional Officer be appointed in Cuttack at the earliest to resolve these issues and benefit all concerned. They expressed hope that their request will be considered promptly.