New Delhi, Oct. 7: Playing on TV, NH 10...

No, not yet, but if things go according to plan, Anushka Sharma's violent action thriller could be headed for television screens.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has agreed to resume reviewing of films certified as "A" - or adult - for television broadcasts after a seven-month embargo its chief Pahlaj Nihalani had imposed.

Nihalani today said the CBFC was "resuming the process" and would allow filmmakers to make appropriate changes so that their movies are suitable for TV viewing.

The decision means dozens of Indian and foreign A-certified films that were held up by his no-recertification order would now be reviewed by the CBFC for television screens.

The move is expected to pave the way for television releases of films like NH 10 and the Sunny Leone-starrer Mastizaade, whose producers have been demanding recertification from the censor board to make them fit for "family viewing".

Films in India are currently certified as "A" (adult); "UA" (unrestricted but with a word of caution that parental discretion is required for children below 12); "U" (unrestricted), and "S" (restricted to a special class of persons). Under the norms, only "U"- and "UA"- certified films can be shown on TV.

In March this year, Nihalani had issued a circular saying no film would be certified twice, even if that blocked its broadcast on television. The circular had cited a clause in the cinematography act, which says films can't be certified twice.

"The Comptroller and Auditor General had raised objections on recertification of films, which is why I decided to stop the practice," Nihalani said today, referring to a CAG notice to the board earlier this year.

In an audit, the CAG had questioned the reclassification of 172 adult films into general category films meant for family audiences.

So what made him relent?

The circular, Nihalani said, was "inconveniencing and causing massive losses" to producers. "The film industry has been under great stress.... So we're resuming the process after due consultations with the information and broadcasting ministry," the censor board chief added.

Asked how films were re-certified earlier when rules don't allow it, an official said the cinematography act doesn't talk about recertification for TV viewing. But amendments were being drafted now, sources said.

Nihalani, who had earlier banned some cuss words before being forced to withdraw the controversial list in the face of widespread protests, said he wanted to grant more autonomy to filmmakers. "We will allow producers themselves to make the cuts voluntarily that would make their 'A' films eligible for a 'UA' certificate before they bring their films to us for recertification," he said.

Under the old practice, the censor board members would suggest the changes.

But Nihalani made it clear that films wouldn't become automatically eligible when submitted.

"We will examine the modified versions and see if they are fit for family audiences on television and only then grant the 'UA' certificate - with more changes if necessary," he said.

Industry insiders expressed relief over the new order.

"If the cinematography act does not mention certification of films for TV broadcast, it is not the industry's fault. So why should we suffer because of that?" said Mukesh Bhatt, president of the Film & TV Producers Guild of India. "It is good that some sense has prevailed upon key people in the censor board."