I was told – give ₹ 6.5 lakh within an hour: Actor Vishal said – Gave money in the morning, got certificate by evening, everyone involved from bottom to top

Tamil actor Vishal alleges that the Censor Board took a bribe of Rs 6.5 lakh to pass his film.

Tamil actor Vishal alleges that the Censor Board took a bribe of Rs 6.5 lakh to pass his film. Vishal said that he gave the money in the morning and his film was passed in the evening.

Vishal said, ‘Till now I thought that corruption happens only in government offices. I am shocked that all this is happening in the cinema world also. I was asked to arrange Rs 6.5 lakh in an hour. I gave the money somehow. As soon as the money was paid, the film got the certificate by the evening. I learned that this had happened to many producers before me.

People sitting inside CBFC said- give money or leave
Vishal exclusively told Dainik Bhaskar, ‘I came to know that this has happened with many film makers before also. I was told that Rs 4 lakh is charged for the certificate, but if you have come late then Rs 6 lakh will be charged from you.

I was told that you have one hour, if you want to do it then tell me, otherwise leave it. Then I figured out an idea. I definitely wanted the certificate. I decided to give the money. However, I wanted to bring out the truth, hence the transaction was done online instead of in cash.

When I did the first transaction of Rs 3 lakh, the screening started. As soon as the second transaction was done, the film got the certificate.

Vishal is a big name in the Tamil film industry. His latest release film Mark Antony is performing well. Vishal had approached the Censor Board for the Hindi dub of this film.

Everyone is involved in the game of corruption from bottom to top.
Vishal further said, ‘There is a woman named Maneka in the censor board, she said that this money goes to the top. Meaning, it is worth thinking that everyone is involved in this. The CEO (Ravindra Bhakar) is the most involved. I thought that after the release of the film, I will definitely bring this truth out.

If I don’t do this I can’t sleep at night. Before being an actor, I am an ordinary person. Being an ordinary citizen, it is my duty to raise my voice against corruption.

Vishal first made this sensational disclosure through social media on Thursday.

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said – the culprits will be punished
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting took cognizance of the matter on Friday. The ministry said, ‘The government’s policy in the matter of corruption is clear. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty in this.

A top officer has been sent to Mumbai to investigate this case. If you have also been harassed because of the Censor Board or anyone with whom such incidents have happened, can inform us.

Apart from this, Indian Film and TV Directors Association has also demanded a CBI investigation into this matter.

Prasoon Joshi should resign – Pahlaj Nihalani
Former Censor Board Chairman Pahlaj Nihalani told Dainik Bhaskar, ‘When the elder of the family is not at home, such things will definitely come to light. Censor Board Chairman Prasoon Joshi never comes to office. Because of this the board officials have become autocratic. Prasoon Joshi is completely responsible for this. He should resign from his post. These people exploit the producers.

I even drank water in this office with my own money. If there was pressure on me, I would have been ready to resign straight away. I did not accept interference from any outsider in my office.

Prasoon Joshi became the chairman of CBFC in 2017. Pahlaj Nihalani alleges that Prasun asks for the files at home and checks them.