Member of Parliament from the Rastriya Swatantra Party, Anushka Shrestha, expressed in the House of Representatives that the upcoming Film Bill should support the ‘Arrange Economy.’ She emphasized the need for a clear definition and classification of films, as well as the implementation of transparent and merit-based criteria in appointing the Chairperson of the Film Development Board. MP Shrestha suggested creating a distinct framework for foreign OTT platforms and recommended classification over unnecessary censorship of film scenes.
Kathmandu – Former Miss Nepal and Rastriya Swatantra Party MP Anushka Shrestha has highlighted the necessity of drafting a Film Bill aimed at supporting the ‘Arrange Economy.’ She shared her views during the Sunday session of the House of Representatives, discussing a proposal to consider the Film Bill 2082 presented by the National Assembly. She stated that the forthcoming film legislation should not only address current issues but also proactively tackle future challenges.
“Supporting the Arrange Economy is highly positive,” she remarked. Shrestha outlined her position in six points. She called for the bill to include a clear definition of films. According to her, short films and feature films should be categorized separately based on budget and duration. She cautioned that ambiguous definitions might lead to online content being mistakenly classified as films.
On the appointment of the Film Development Board Chairperson, she insisted on transparency and merit-based standards. She proposed the formation of a recommendation committee for this purpose. Furthermore, she clarified that only filmmakers with a minimum of 15 years of experience should be eligible for the chairperson position. Regarding foreign OTT platforms, Shrestha underscored the need for a separate regulatory framework, calling for collaboration between the Ministry of Information and Communications and telecom authorities to establish an effective mechanism.
While recognizing the need for discretion in the exercise of powers by the film review committee, she urged for clearly defined criteria to determine which films should face restrictions. “Disclaimers may be added; excessive cuts can destroy the essence of the story. Issues of classification and categorization are equally vital,” she commented. Additionally, she advocated for establishing a Film Development Fund that would not impose a financial burden on the government.
