Vijay Anand chairman of India's Censor Board of Film Certification is understood to have offered to resign after his proposal to legalise the exhibition of X-rated films in selected approved cinemas in the country was rejected by the Indian Government.

The Government of India is yet to respond to Anand's offer. Veteran filmmaker Anand suggested changes in the Indian Cinematograph Act, in particular the proposal to exhibit soft porn/porn films in designated theatres.

The Government of India has since been inundated with protests from women's groups demanding his resignation.

The Information and Broadcasting ministry is understood to have informed Anand that it would not even consider the suggestion to legalise the exhibition of X-rated films in the country.

Instead, the government has urged the CBFC to restrict its activities to providing clean entertainment and that films should responsible and sensitive to the values of Indian society.

A six-member committee created by the CBFC is considering all the suggestions related to a review of the Cinematographic Act 1952. There are only three rating categories for films in India ' U (unrestricted), U/A (unrestricted in the company of adults) and A (adults only).