'Censorship in cinema is wrong': Kamal Haasan slams 'censor board' label, demands a shift to ‘certification’

Kamal Haasan is calling for a linguistic revolution within the industry. On Saturday, March 21, 2026, the Ulaganayagan took to social media to address a long-standing grievance: the persistent use of the term "Censor Board." Haasan, who has famously battled numerous certification hurdles throughout his five-decade career, most notably with 'Vishwaroopam'clarified that "censorship" has no place in a modern democracy.'Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Kamal Haasan clearly explained the change in terminology and its importance. He said: “A note to media friends. After many years of discussions, the word ‘censor’ has been removed and changed to the Central Board of Film Certification in India.” With this statement, he reminded us that the name was officially changed back in 1983, and the word “censor” no longer reflects the system’s role. Kamal Haasan further explained his stand on censorship, saying, “Censorship in cinema is wrong. The word ‘censorship’ has become outdated after long legal discussions. This word should not be used in Tamil media. Once the industry has accomplished its task, we, as a society, should cease using this word as well. A democratic government should not place a veto on art. This is a norm agreed to in world cinema and Tamil cinema too.”Kamal Haasan has stressed the importance of artistic freedom in cinema. He argues that films should be rated, not banned, and that how a film is presented affects how audiences react. This view reinforces Kamal Haasan's consistent belief in the importance of artistic freedom and his desire for Indian cinema to be recognized internationally. With this message, he appealed to the media and audiences to use accurate terms and respect the evolution of the certification system.Kamal Haasan earlier announced a film under the direction of stunt duo Anbarivu, but there has been no update on the film for a long time. Meanwhile, he announced his reunion with Rajinikanth after three decades, the film, tentatively titled 'KHxRK', will be helmed by Nelson Dilipkumar. The shooting of the mega project is set to commence in May.