The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), formerly known as the Central Board of Film Censors, is the Indian government agency responsible for regulating the public exhibition of films in India.

The primary objective of film censorship in India is to protect national security and public order, promote national identity and cultural values, and regulate the content of films for suitability for public viewing.

Censorship contributes to the promotion of national identity in Indian cinema by ensuring that films accurately portray Indian history and culture, encouraging filmmakers to create content that reflects the values and aspirations of the nation, and preventing the release of films that could potentially harm national unity or security.

Censorship helps preserve traditional cultural values in Indian cinema by restricting the depiction of nudity, violence, and profanity, and by promoting films that celebrate traditional customs and beliefs.

Censorship often stifles creativity and discourages filmmakers from taking risks, as they may fear that their films will be banned or heavily edited.

The necessity of film censorship to protect national security and public order is generally not a criticism of censorship, but rather a justification for it.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) plays a crucial role in promoting national identity and cultural values in Indian cinema by ensuring that films accurately portray Indian history and culture, encouraging filmmakers to create content that reflects the values and aspirations of the nation, and preventing the release of films that could potentially harm national unity or security.

Censorship contributes to the shaping of cultural narratives in Indian cinema by influencing the content and themes of films, determining which films are allowed to be released, and shaping public opinion about what is considered acceptable or unacceptable.

The CBFC faces several challenges in regulating and censoring films in India, including the subjective nature of censorship decisions, the need to balance creative freedom with societal values, and the influence of political and religious groups.

The role of censorship in promoting national identity and cultural values has become more relaxed in recent years, with the CBFC adopting a more liberal approach to film regulation.

Arguments in favor of film censorship in India include the protection of national security and public order, the promotion of national identity and cultural values, and the prevention of the release of films that could be harmful to children or vulnerable audiences.

Arguments against film censorship in India include the stifling of creativity and discouragement of filmmakers from taking risks, the subjective and arbitrary nature of censorship decisions, and the outdated nature of censorship laws that do not reflect contemporary societal values.

The impact of censorship on the commercial success of films in India varies depending on the film and the nature of the censorship. Some films may experience lower box office revenues due to restricted audience appeal, while others may see an increase in box office revenues due to the perceived prestige of a censored film.

Recent controversies surrounding film censorship in India include the banning of films that are critical of the government or religious groups, the removal of scenes or dialogues from films that are deemed to be offensive or controversial, and the denial of certification to films that deal with sensitive topics such as caste, religion, or sexuality.