More and more film content is getting affected as filmmakers are left with no choice but to make films that is acceptable to the respective communities regardless of whether its story is truthful or not…
The Hindi film industry has entertained us with innumerable films of various genres but Bollywood too has produced films that initiate some or the other kind of social debate and controversies. The censor board film certification (CBFC) holds the power to restrict the movies which in their opinion might hurt the sentiments of people. Many innovative and creative movies are prohibited due to this sensitivity concerning public welfare. India already has huge population with diversity in terms of various religions, languages and cultures since the immemorial times which sometimes makes it difficult for the makers to make films considering the sentiments of this vast and diverse section of the society. Hence at times films turn out to be more sensitive to various thought provoking topics.
Nowadays controversies pertaining to films have become a usual topic. Today when a filmmaker attempts to make film on a certain section of the society or the history of a particular geographical area has to face severe backlash from that community over minor content dispute. Soon, this dispute spreads like a raging fire and all that the film makers receive is death threats and abuses. They are left with no choice but to bear the controversy and at times also make changes as per the demands of the community. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film ‘Padmavati’ is recent instance of it.
There have been plenty of movies which are actually banned by Central board of film Certification (CBFC) like Game of Ayodhya Bengali movie named ‘Rang Beronger Kori’ (color of money) and many more past films. The respective communities resort to violence without watching the film and understanding the scandal’s connection to the plot. Well this spells disaster for the film makers leading to audience failing to watch the film in the first place, which results in disappointment to the film as a business.
The saddest part of it is that event CBFC at times gets struck between the film makers and the audiences demands and has to then take a considerable decision keeping in the mind both the parties.
- Padmavati
The Rajput Karni had attacked the director of the movie which is called ‘Padmavati’ due to some questionable scenes which triggered their community’s sensitivity according to them and also quoted on the whole scandal and explained their actions saying ,”Rajputs never raise a hand on women but if the situation leads further to be , we will do the same thing to Deepika Padukone which Lakhman did to Shurpanka.”
- Game of Ayodhya
The movie Game of Ayodhya also became a victim to the conditions of censor board with Amit Goswami, an Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) leader from Aligarh, announcing a bounty price of Rs. 1 lakh for anyone who chops off Sunil Singh’s hands who was the director of the film.
- Rang Beronger Kori ( color of money)
This regional Bengali movie is also not passed by censor board because the movie is based upon a collection of four short stories, one of which has two tribal characters named Ram and Sita. The censor board ended up saying they can’t allow the release of the film because it can hurt religious sentiments of many people.
As these protests and banning of the films, the court said that the film was being prejudged and the actions of those in office could be prejudicing the minds of CBFC members. The movie is before CBFC and a decision has not been taken yet. People shouldn’t take decision on behalf of appointed authority of censor board and political parties shouldn’t create scams based on their own entitled opinions of religious sentiments.