Life
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
Concern over children viewing adult films
Sudhish Kamath
|
The censorship norms are broad, making interpretation difficult
|
CHENNAI:
Parents are becoming increasingly worried about children watching adult content, specifically films with excessive sex and violence.
When Consumers Association of India invited the public to interact with S. Raju, regional officer of the Central Board of Film Certification, several parents expressed concern about the rising levels of sex and violence in films.
Noting that it is impossible to curb freedom of speech and expression of filmmakers, the Censor official said the government could ensure that children were not allowed to enter movie halls screening adult films.
"It is possible to enforce this, if local governments take it up seriously. It's a problem throughout the country," Mr. Raju said. A parent complained that even films rated `U' had scenes of graphic violence. "The Censors must ban filmmakers who make it a habit to show scenes of sex and violence. The violence in `Anniyan' is unsuitable for children," he said.
Another parent appealed to the Censor official to not allow films that showed romance at the school level. "Earlier, children used to think love happens only at the college level. Today, children would not think twice about falling in love while they are still in school," a couple complained to Mr. Raju after the seminar. "You are talking from the point of view of a parent. But the point of view of the young seems to be very different ... that movie is a big hit," he said.
Later talking to The Hindu , the Censor official said he felt there was no need for any revision of any guidelines, irrespective of global influences and changing social attitudes.
"The guidelines are so broad that it is only a matter of interpretation. Besides, they are only guidelines and not rules. You can't define vulgarity," Mr. Raju said.
The last revision to the Cinematography Act was in 1983. "The only problem is maybe that the guidelines are so broad that based on your interpretation, you can ban or pass any film," he said.
How easy will it be to implement the ban of smoking scenes from October 2? "There should not be a problem in implementing it with films that are shot after the order arrives. But there have been many films, which have been underproduction for years. So we have to wait and see what the order says," Mr. Raju said.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Life
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
|
