Leela Samson resigns as Chairperson of Central Board of Film Certification

Chairperson of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)Leela Samson has resigned.
She resigned after Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) cleared the controversial film Messenger of God featuring Dera Saccha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in lead role.

The Censor Board headed by Ms. Samson had earlier denied the clearance certificate to the film saying that the movie depicts Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh as a God.

Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT):

• FCAT is a statutory body. It has been constituted under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.

• It comes under the aegis of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

• Headquarters: New Delhi.

• The Tribunal has a Secretary to look after its day to day affairs.

• Function: It hears the appeals filed as per provisions of Cinematography Act. Any applicant can file an appeal before the tribunal for a certificate in respect of a film who is aggrieved by an order of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

Leela Samson:

• She is a Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, instructor and writer.

• She is recipient of the many awards for her contributions to Bharatanatyam. It includes Padma Shri (1990), Kalaimamani (2005) given by Government of Tamil Nadu, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1999–2000).