PRELIMINARYCentral

Section 2 of The Cinematograph Act, 1952

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,--

(a)adult means a person who has completed his eighteenth year; 1[(b) Board means the Board of Film Certification constituted by the Central Government under section 3;] 2[(bb) certificate means the certificate granted by the Board under section 5A;]
(c)cinematograph includes any apparatus for the representation of moving pictures or series of pictures;
(d)district magistrate, in relation to a presidency-town, means the Commissioner of Police; 3[(dd) "film" means a cinematograph film;] 4[(ddd) "infringing copy" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in sub-clause (ii) of clause (m) of section 2 of the Copyright Act, 1957 (14 of 1957);]
(e)place includes a house, building, tent and any description of transport, whether by sea, land or air;
(f)"prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act; 5[(g) "regional officer" means a regional officer appointed by the Central Government under section 5 and includes an additional regional officer and an assistant regional officer; 6* * * * *. 7[(i) "UA marker" means an age-based indicator for a film which has received or is intended to receive a "UA" Certificate under section 4 and such indicator may be "UA 7+" or "UA 13+" or "UA 16+": Provided that where the Central Government is satisfied that it is necessary or expedient so to do in public interest, it may, by an order published in the Official Gazette and for the reasons to be recorded in writing, declare such other indicators.]

Summary

An adult is defined as a person who has finished their eighteenth year.
A cinematograph includes any equipment used to show moving pictures or a series of pictures.
A place can be a house, a building, a tent, or any type of transport by sea, land, or air.
A district magistrate in a presidency-town refers to the Commissioner of Police.
A UA marker is an age-based indicator like UA 7+, UA 13+, or UA 16+ for a film receiving a UA Certificate, though the Central Government can declare other indicators if needed for public interest.

Practical examples

1Rahul just celebrated his eighteenth birthday. Under this law, he is now considered an adult and can watch films restricted to adults.

2A group sets up a large tent in a field to screen a movie. Under this law, the tent counts as a place, just like a permanent concrete building would.

3A new film is given a UA 13+ marker. This marker is an age-based indicator showing it received a UA Certificate, which parents can use as guidance.

FAQ

1. What exactly counts as a cinematograph?

It includes any apparatus or equipment used to show moving pictures or a series of pictures.

2. If a movie is shown on an airplane, does the airplane count as a place?

Yes, the definition of a place includes any description of transport by air, sea, or land.

3. Who acts as the district magistrate in a presidency-town?

In a presidency-town, the Commissioner of Police is considered the district magistrate.

Test yourself

Q1.Under Section 2 of The Cinematograph Act, 1952, how is an adult defined?

Q2.Under Section 2 of The Cinematograph Act, 1952, which of the following is specifically included in the definition of a place?

Q3.Under Section 2 of The Cinematograph Act, 1952, which authority is equivalent to the district magistrate in a presidency-town?

Q4.Under Section 2 of The Cinematograph Act, 1952, which section is cross-referenced to explain the meaning of the Board?

Q5.Under Section 2 of The Cinematograph Act, 1952, how does the definition of a certificate connect to Section 5A?

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