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Gujarati Film Industry Deserves Its Own CBFC Certification Centre in Ahmedabad

A Long-Pending Demand That Needs Immediate Attention

Gujarat has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing regional film industries. Every year, more than 100 Gujarati films are produced and released. Gujarati cinema has created successful films, introduced talented actors and filmmakers, and attracted audiences not only in Gujarat but also among Gujarati communities across India and abroad.

Despite this growth, the state still does not have a dedicated Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certification centre.

As a result, Gujarati film producers, directors, and distributors are forced to depend on the CBFC’s Mumbai office for film certification before release. This situation has created unnecessary delays, financial losses, and mental stress for filmmakers.

Why Film Certification Matters

No film can be publicly released in India without certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), a statutory body functioning under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The CBFC examines films and grants certificates such as U, UA, A, and S before public exhibition. The board operates through nine regional offices across India, including Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Guwahati, Cuttack, and Thiruvananthapuram. Gujarat currently does not have a regional office.

For Gujarati filmmakers, Mumbai is the nearest certification office. Every film producer must coordinate with the Mumbai office for screening schedules, compliance requirements, modifications, and certification procedures.

The Burden on Gujarati Producers

Many Gujarati filmmakers operate with limited budgets compared to large Hindi film productions.

When certification appointments are delayed, producers face several challenges:

Increased travel expenses to Mumbai.
Additional accommodation and logistical costs.
Postponement of marketing campaigns.
Delayed theatrical releases.
Loss of cinema screens booked in advance.
Financial pressure from distributors and investors.

A delay of even one week can significantly impact the revenue potential of a regional film.

Producers often spend months planning release dates around festivals, holidays, and school vacations. When certification is delayed, the entire release strategy may collapse.

Gujarat’s Contribution to Indian Cinema

Gujarat has become an important contributor to India’s entertainment sector. The state offers modern infrastructure, film-friendly policies, and diverse shooting locations.

Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Kutch, Vadodara, Gir, and Saputara have increasingly become preferred destinations for filmmakers.

Gujarati cinema has witnessed remarkable growth during the last decade. The number of films released annually demonstrates that the industry is no longer a small regional market. It is now a significant cultural and economic contributor.

If states with smaller film output can receive administrative support, Gujarat’s rapidly expanding film industry deserves similar consideration.

Repeated Appeals Have Gone Unanswered

The demand for a CBFC certification centre in Ahmedabad is not new. Over the years, several Gujarati film producers and industry representatives have submitted written representations to the concerned authorities, requesting the establishment of a local certification facility in Gujarat.

Despite these repeated appeals, no concrete action has been taken so far.

The continued lack of response has created frustration within the Gujarati film fraternity. Producers feel that while Gujarati cinema has grown significantly and contributes to the state’s cultural and economic development, its basic administrative needs have not received adequate attention.

Industry stakeholders believe that the issue deserves urgent consideration, especially when more than 100 Gujarati films are being released every year. The absence of a local CBFC centre forces filmmakers to depend entirely on Mumbai, resulting in avoidable delays, additional expenses, and uncertainty regarding release schedules.

The Gujarati film industry is not seeking special treatment. It is simply requesting a practical and necessary facility that would help filmmakers work more efficiently and support the continued growth of regional cinema.

Why Ahmedabad Is the Ideal Location

Ahmedabad is Gujarat’s largest city and the centre of the state’s film and media activities.

Establishing a small CBFC certification centre in Ahmedabad would:

Reduce the burden on the Mumbai office.
Speed up certification of Gujarati films.
Save producers time and money.
Encourage new filmmakers to enter the industry.
Improve the ease of doing business in the entertainment sector.
Support employment generation within Gujarat.

The proposed centre does not need extensive infrastructure. Even a small regional certification office with examining committees could effectively handle Gujarati-language films and other regional content produced in Gujarat.

The Government of India has repeatedly emphasised ease of doing business and decentralisation of services.

If entrepreneurs can access government services closer to their place of business, why should filmmakers travel hundreds of kilometres for a mandatory certification process?

Digital submissions have certainly improved efficiency. However, many certification-related processes still require coordination with regional offices. A local presence would make communication faster and more effective.

Appeal to the Central Government

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting should seriously examine the growing needs of Gujarat’s film industry.

A dedicated CBFC certification centre in Ahmedabad would not be a luxury. It would be an essential administrative facility for a state that produces more than 100 films annually and contributes significantly to India’s creative economy.

The Central Government should engage with Gujarati film associations, producers, distributors, theatre owners, and industry stakeholders to assess the demand and establish a regional certification facility.

The Gujarat Government has consistently promoted investment, entrepreneurship, and cultural development.

Now is the time for the state government to formally approach the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and seek the establishment of a CBFC centre in Ahmedabad.

Such a step would strengthen Gujarati cinema, create opportunities for filmmakers, and support the state’s growing creative economy.

Gujarati cinema has evolved far beyond its traditional boundaries. The industry is producing films in large numbers, creating employment, and carrying Gujarati culture to audiences worldwide.

Yet, filmmakers continue to face an avoidable hurdle: the absence of a local film certification office.

A small CBFC centre in Ahmedabad would save time, reduce costs, improve efficiency, and provide much-needed support to one of India’s most vibrant regional film industries.