New Delhi: The controversial list of swear words that was circulated by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) soon after Pahlaj Nihalani took over as its chairperson has been withdrawn after a majority of members voted against it. People familiar with the matter said the issue was discussed at a meeting of the board held on Friday in Mumbai where an overwhelming majority of the members felt that rather than banning such words, they should be looked in the context of the film.

“The issue was discussed and most members favoured that the list be withdrawn. And since the overwhelming majority held this view, the decision was taken," a CBFC member, who had attended the meeting on Friday, said. The controversial list banning the use of “objectionable" and “abusive" words was circulated by Nihalani, but the CBFC had decided to hold its implementation after a massive controversy broke out and it was felt that more consultation is required.

The move to ban all the words in the list met with much opposition from film-makers and even the information and broadcasting ministry is also understood to have been not too pleased with the controversies that emanated. Apart from the issue related to the list banning certain words, the ministry is also understood to have discussed issues related to expediting the online certification of films.

“The Board also discussed a ‘tatkal’ scheme under which film-makers who want their film certified at a faster pace can apply for the same by a paying a certain fees," the member said.

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