The Delhi High Court has asked the Centre, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and film producers to consider adding accessibility features to films for persons with disabilities.

According to a PTI report from New Delhi yesterday, the court said the stakeholders should work together to find an appropriate and workable solution. It also said a decision on the issue should be taken within two weeks.

The court passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Rahul Bajaj, a practising lawyer and a visually impaired person. The petition raised concerns about the accessibility of films released in theatres and on over-the-top (OTT) platforms.

Bajaj has said he is unable to access films on an equal footing with other members of the public in the absence of appropriate accessibility features, particularly audio description and same-language captioning or subtitling or Indian sign language.

The petitioner has said despite the statutory and regulatory framework mandating accessibility for persons with disabilities, films including ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’ continue to be exhibited without such features on a universal basis with accessibility, where provided, being restricted to a limited number of theatres.

Considering the nature and wider implications of the grievances raised, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma felt it was appropriate to afford an opportunity to all the stakeholders to deliberate upon the issue and explore a mutually-acceptable resolution.

“Accordingly, a joint meeting of all stakeholders, including the petitioner and the respondents, shall be convened within a period of one week from today to consider the broader concerns regarding accessibility of films raised by the petitioner,” the court said in an order passed on August 10.

The court listed the matter for September 11 and said it has to be informed about the outcome of the meeting on that date.