India Smoking Ban Extends To Foreign Films

NEW DELHI, India (The Hollywood Reporter) -- Following the Indian government's directive to ban smoking in films and television, Information and Broadcasting Minister Jaipal Reddy has confirmed that foreign films depicting people smoking also will be subject to the new rules when applying for a Censor Board certificate.

"We cannot tell [foreign filmmakers] not to have scenes of smoking in films," Reddy said. "But ... such films would have to obtain certificates from the Censor Board here before getting clearance for exhibiting them in cinema halls."

Reddy added that it will be the responsibility of exhibitors and the Indian distributors of foreign films to ensure that messages relating to the ill effects of smoking are prominently displayed before and after any foreign film where smoking has been depicted.

"To be honest, at this stage we haven't received details on how anti-smoking censorship will be enforced," said Vikramjit Roy, Sony Pictures Entertainment India marketing chief. "But whatever government rules are given to us, we will follow them."