The Mumbai based Censor Board Of Film Certification (CBFC) is looking to move its process of film certification online, according to DNA and BollywoodHungama. Documents (pdf1 and pdf2) found on the CBFC website point to CBFC’s pre-bid meetings on proposals received for the “Selection of Implementing Agency towards the Design, Development and Maintenance for 2nd Phase of Computerization of CBFC”. Both the reports cite Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Minister For Information & Broadcasting and Pahlaj Nihalani, censor board chief as saying that online certification is aimed at reducing the interaction between members and producers over scene cuts, reduce delays, instil transparency and curb malpractices. Takeaways from the clarifications issued by the CBFC: - The system should support integration with an SMS gateway to send alerts and reminders. The CBFC will bear the cost of setting up and running the SMS gateway. (No clarification on who will bear the cost of SMS reminders.) - The system should also support a payment gateway integration; the cost of the setup and running will be borne by the CBFC. - The bidder will be responsible for complete redesign, development, rollout and maintenance of the website and provide necessary hardware and software, including the OS and system software) for hosting the website. CBFC will not provide any hardware or software, so bidders should include this cost on their “BoM” (bill of materials) and final quote. - Movies less than 70 minutes long need to be uploaded to the CBFC system in MPEG4 format, not the DCP…
