The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has taken a resolute stance against two filmmakers who are facing accusations of involving children in inappropriate scenes in their films and OTT series. In a significant move, the NCPCR has instructed the police to initiate legal proceedings against these producers, invoking the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
One of the filmmakers under scrutiny is Mahesh Manjrekar, a prominent figure in Marathi cinema. His Marathi film, “Nay Varan Bhat Loncha Kon Nay Koncha,” has drawn criticism for featuring explicit scenes involving child actors. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had raised objections to these scenes, leading the NCPCR to direct the police to take legal action against those responsible.
The second filmmaker in the NCPCR’s crosshairs is Alankrita Shrivastava, the director of the OTT series “Bombay Begums.” Allegedly, the series depicts children consuming narcotics, prompting the NCPCR to order an FIR against Shrivastava for these scenes.
NCPCR’s chairperson, Priyank Kanoongo, has underscored their unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of children in the entertainment industry. They have also issued new guidelines aimed at safeguarding young performers.
It’s noteworthy that Mahesh Manjrekar has been making headlines not only for this controversy but also for his upcoming role as former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu in the propaganda film “Yatra 2.”