I&B Ministry orders probe into Vishal’s bribery allegations against CBFC

A day after actor Vishal claimed that he paid Rs 6.5 lakh to a mediator to get his latest release Mark Antony certified by the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC), the government has said that it is launching an investigation into the alleged corruption. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting tweeted on Friday that it has appointed a senior officer to conduct an enquiry into the matter.

"Government has zero tolerance for corruption and the strictest action will be taken against anyone involved. A senior officer from... has been deputed to Mumbai to conduct an inquiry today itself," Information & Broadcasting Ministry wrote on X.

"The issue of corruption in CBFC brought forth by actor @VishalKOfficial is extremely unfortunate. The Government has zero tolerance for corruption and the strictest action will be taken against anyone found involved," according to a statement by the I&B Ministry.

The ministry said a senior officer has been deputed to conduct an inquiry into the matter. "A senior officer from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has been deputed to Mumbai to conduct an inquiry today itself. We request everyone to cooperate with the Ministry, by providing information about any other instance of harassment by CBFC at jsfilms.inb@nic.in," the I&B Ministry statement read.

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, who is a former member of the CBFC told ANI that Tamil actor has levelled "very serious" allegations and has demanded an investigation by the CBI.

He further said that people named by the Tamil actor as having taken the money are not employees of the CBFC and therefore "whoever the money was given to has to be investigated."

"Corruption being shown on the silver screen is fine... but not in real life... can't digest. Especially in government offices. And, even worse, happening in the CBFC Mumbai office. Had to pay Rs 6.5 lakhs for my film Mark Antony (Hindi version). Two transactions... Rs 3 lakhs for screening and Rs 3.5 lakhs for certificate," Vishal wrote on X.

"Never faced this situation ever in my career. Had no option but to pay the concerned mediator... .coz too much at stake since the movie was released today. Bringing this to the notice of Hon Chief Minister of Maharashtra and my Hon PM Narendra Modiji. Doing this is not for me but for future producers."

"NOT HAPPENING. My hard-earned money gone for corruption ??? No way. Evidence down for all to hear. Hope truth prevails as always. GB," he added.

Mark Antony is an action comedy gangster drama, which features Vishal, SJ Suryah, Sunil, Ritu Varma, and Selvaraghavan among others. Directed by Adhik Ravichandran, Mark Antony also has elements of time travel and was released on September 15. It fared well at the box office and received mixed response from fans and critics.