Just like there is a project leader to oversee any IT project and a principal to oversee the running of a school, there is also a censor board to monitor the content of the films that are being made. Technically, the job of a censor board member is to ensure there is not much sleaze, gore, dialogues or anything that can cause disturbance to the audience or hurt their sentiments. As simple as it may sound, is that actually the thing which is happening right now?
A noted producer on condition of anonymity said “Censor board is a dummy right now. The cause for this is the set of board members. Though some are sincere, there are few key persons who are keen on eating money and overseeing few things.” Another film related member who is a budding director said “It has become a Herculean task to get certification, they make you run around from pillar to post especially when they know you are not having background.”
While mixed views are there from the film fraternity’s end, this is what the audience has to say. Sudhir, an avid movie buff said “I see no consistency in their censoring. Sometimes, lewd dialogues and scenes are passed and in other instances there are few trivial issues which are muted or blacked out causing confusion.” Kaushik, who writes film related blogs on the web said “The problem is with the profiles of the people who become part of censor board. You end up putting classical dancers, veterans of black and white era on the hot seat, how would they understand what is the need of the hour? That leads to clash in ideology among today’s film makers and the censor members.”
Mansi, a student with a film institute said “The trust factor on the censor board is gone, it is more about the luck factor. It is depending on their moods the film gets an A, U/A or there needs to be lot of negotiations.” But Rohit has a different view “The censor board has guidelines and they strictly go by them. It doesn’t require any profile or audience pulse. Their role is noble and it is a huge responsibility because cinema has a strong impact on the society. We must respect the censor board for being there and adhere to their rulings.”
While the thoughts are varied, the recent spike in the censor related controversies must be curbed or else, faith in the system will no longer be there.
A noted producer on condition of anonymity said “Censor board is a dummy right now. The cause for this is the set of board members. Though some are sincere, there are few key persons who are keen on eating money and overseeing few things.” Another film related member who is a budding director said “It has become a Herculean task to get certification, they make you run around from pillar to post especially when they know you are not having background.”
While mixed views are there from the film fraternity’s end, this is what the audience has to say. Sudhir, an avid movie buff said “I see no consistency in their censoring. Sometimes, lewd dialogues and scenes are passed and in other instances there are few trivial issues which are muted or blacked out causing confusion.” Kaushik, who writes film related blogs on the web said “The problem is with the profiles of the people who become part of censor board. You end up putting classical dancers, veterans of black and white era on the hot seat, how would they understand what is the need of the hour? That leads to clash in ideology among today’s film makers and the censor members.”
Mansi, a student with a film institute said “The trust factor on the censor board is gone, it is more about the luck factor. It is depending on their moods the film gets an A, U/A or there needs to be lot of negotiations.” But Rohit has a different view “The censor board has guidelines and they strictly go by them. It doesn’t require any profile or audience pulse. Their role is noble and it is a huge responsibility because cinema has a strong impact on the society. We must respect the censor board for being there and adhere to their rulings.”
While the thoughts are varied, the recent spike in the censor related controversies must be curbed or else, faith in the system will no longer be there.
Ranjani, Hyderabad
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