Censor Board chief hits out at critics, says changes in `Spectre` as per guidelines

Mumbai: Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief Pahlaj Nihalani hit out at his critics on Wednesday on the ongoing controversy of shortening the length of a kiss in the latest James Bond movie 'Spectre', and said that the changes were made as per the guidelines.

Nihalani said ever since he taken over as censor board's chief, 2173 films had been cleared, out of which 2125 were cleared at the first stage of scrutiny itself.

"There is no controversy in it. I have not seen the film. Since the day I have joined the office 2173 films have been passed by the Censor Board, out of which 58 movies went to the Revising Committee which comes to me. The films that are passed by the Examining Committee do not come to me and are passed from there only," Nihalani told ANI.

"The examining committee, which consist of two males and two females along with an officer, watch the movie. They have passed the movie according to the guidelines. The movie passes only after a unanimous decision of the panel," he added.

Nihalani said those criticising the board's decision were unaware about how the present system of film certification works.

Nihalani has been facing criticism from the media, the industry and his own board members over his unilateral approach in clearing of films.

'Spectre', in which Daniel Craig plays the legendary character, was given a U/A certificate.