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For `Adults Only'!

The Censor Board has issued `A' certificates to most of the Tamil films released recently for showing explicit violence and sex

VIOLENCE AND SLEAZE RULE Scenes from some of the latest films

Many Tamil films seem to have been given `A' certificates this year by the Censor Board. Out of the 22 films released so far (up to March 17), nine got an `A' (Adults) certificate, five got `UA' (Universal with Adult guidance) and eight got `U' (Unrestricted). Never before have so many films been rated `A' and `UA' in such a short period. Faced with a deluge of films with violence, adult themes and bold subjects, the Central Board

of Film Certification (CBFC) regional office in Chennai is busy handing out `A' certificates to most films.

Says Babu

Rammasami, regional officer, CBFC, Chennai: "I agree there have been a large number of films that were issued `A' certificates mainly because of their theme and content. Some of them were realistic, but at the same time, we have to judge a film in its totality." Rammasami is clear that as censor chief, it is his duty to ensure that some films that may leave a negative impact should not be viewed by those aged below 18 because they are at an impressionable age.

Have Tamil films evolved? They seem to have come of age with sex becoming a major theme. The new breed of directors has taken up themes that were earlier considered blasphemous such as violence, glamour and sleaze. According to a member of the CBFC: "Earlier too directors such as Balu Mahendra and K. Balachandar had handled sexual themes, but never portrayed it so explicitly. And women's sexuality was something that was never discussed openly. I think we have become liberal enough to recommend an `A' certificate for these films."

One of the biggest culprits is the `item number' that has been added to provide the glamour element in several films. This forces the censors to give an `A' or `UA' certificate.

But most film makers are not happy with this. An `Adult' or `UA' rating means these films cannot be shown on television, a major revenue stream for producers in the form of satellite rights. And they also miss out on the all-important family audience.

Landmark order

In a landmark order issued on August 22, 2005, the Bombay High Court has banned the screening of films that do not have a `U' certificate on cable television. In effect, it means all films that have an `UA' or `A' from the Censor Board are off the television screen! The court order came in the wake of a public interest litigation filed by St. Xavier's College (Mumbai) lecturer Pratibha Naithani whose petition objected to the adult content on television channels.

Today, even a trailer or song shown on television has to get a CBFC clearance.

Recently, the censors applied the scissors to the trailer of Selvaraghavan's Puthupet to be shown on television channels. The Bombay High Court order also sent

shockwaves through the television industry, and as a result, nobody is coming forward to buy the satellite rights of an `A' or `UA' film! There is a system whereby such films could get re-censored for telecast but now the censors are refusing to grant certificates.

Recently, Aaru, directed by Hari, which originally got an `A' certificate last December for its violent theme, was refused a certificate when it came for re-censorship for television viewing. Says Rammasami: "It is a violent theme with a lot of blood and gore and definitely cannot be shown on television. That's why we refused re-censorship."

The producers and directors are in a catch-22 situation but they do not want to openly crib about the censors. So far, there have been only three hits this year — Chithirem Pesuthadi (UA), Kalvanin Kathali (A) and Pattiyal (A).

SREEDHAR PILLAI

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