Overview
- The Central Board of Film Certification issued an advisory dated October 26, 2026 that requires filmmakers to submit only final, complete prints for certification and will treat incomplete works as non‑compliant.
- The board said announced or promotional film titles can be reviewed or changed by examining or revising committees and that publicly stated theatrical release dates will not speed up or alter the normal certification timetable.
- The advisory explicitly requires final graphics, background score, music, credits, disclaimers and accessibility features such as closed captions and audio descriptions to be in place before an application is deemed complete.
- Producers, especially in Tollywood, have been urged to submit finished films earlier—one Telugu producer recommended at least 10 days before release—to avoid last‑minute rejections or delays under the new rule.
- The move follows the reconstitution of the CBFC earlier this year and comes against a backdrop of high‑profile certification disputes such as Satluj and Jana Nayagan that show how certification delays can force legal challenges, platform removals or schedule changes.