Actor and MNM president Kamal Haasan. | Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

Actor-politician Kamal Haasan has urged Tamil media to avoid using the term “censorship” with reference to films, noting that the word had been formally set aside after years of debate. In a social media post, he pointed out that India’s film regulatory body had been renamed the Central Board of Film Certification, reflecting a shift away from the idea of “censoring” cinema. He said the term “censorship” had been legally contested and rendered obsolete, and should no longer be used by media outlets. Mr. Haasan said a democratic government should not claim the right to censor art, a principle widely accepted in global cinema. He added that Tamil cinema had also stood by this position.

Published - March 22, 2026 01:04 am IST