Delhi High Court Asks Centre And CBFC To Implement Suggestions On Accessibility Features In Movies For Disabled Persons
The Delhi High Court was considering a Petition whereby the petitioner sought the issuance of a direction to ensure the release of the movie ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’ with accessibility features.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, Delhi High Court
While considering a petition raising concerns over the absence of accessibility features in films that persons with disabilities may require, the Delhi High Court has directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Ministry of Electronics and Technology and the Central Board of Film Certification to implement suggestions relating to such features.
The High Court was considering a Petition whereby the petitioner sought issuance a direction to ensure the release of the movie ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’ with accessibility features, specifically audio description (AD) and same-language closed captioning (CC)/Indian Sign Language, across cinema theatres, Over-the-Top (OTT) streaming platforms and all other media formats, in compliance with the Guidelines of Accessibility Standards in the Public Exhibition of Feature Films in Cinema Theatres issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on March 15, 2024.
The Single Bench of Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav ordered, “It is thus seen that the suggestions, so far as continuing in Paragraph No.6.1 to 6.3 and 6.5 are concerned it will have to be implemented by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The suggestions which are contained in paragraph 6.4 will have to be implemented by Ministry of Electronics and Technology. The respondent No.3-The Central Board of Film Certification will have to consider the suggestions contained in Paragraph no. 6.1 to 6.8.”
The petitioner appeared in person.
The petitioner highlighted the absence of an independent mechanism for persons with disabilities to know the films which are released in theatres that contain accessibility features such as audio description, same language captioning and Indian sign language. As per the petitioner, persons with disabilities are left in the lurch in the absence of the said information in making an informed choice on whether to book a ticket for the movie or not.
The petitioner had suggested the following measures:
- An independent mechanism for persons with disabilities to know the movies that contain accessibility features prior to making ticket bookings through movie ticketing apps and websites.
- Availability of information to access accessibility features through the relevant apps, providing a facility to access accessibility features embedded in the film.
- Details of the service provider providing accessibility features in films for any technical support that persons with disabilities may require.
- Mechanism to ensure the deployment of accessibility compliant apps and websites before their launch by MEITY.
- MIB to clarify the benchmarks for the suitability of applications and software, as well as universal availability of accessibility features across theatres during regular shows and usual screening.
- CBFC to ensure that all applications for certification mandatorily accompany the same language subtitles, same language audio description, or same language closed captions, if any, and any other accessibility features as may be notified from time to time by the Central Government.
- Public searchable disclosure by CBFC of certified accessibility features for each film.
The Bench thus directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Ministry of Electronics and Technology, and the Central Board of Film Certification to consider and implement the aforementioned suggestions.
The matter is now listed on May 7, 2026.
Cause Title: Rahul Bajaj v. Mythri Movie Makers (Case No.:W.P.(C) 16833/2024)