Does cinema censorship bug you?
24 Jul 2009, 05:09
The last movie I saw in the cinema was The Hangover.
It won’t make the world a better place but it’s very entertaining stuff nonetheless.
But in several scenes during the movie there were jump-cuts so jarring you could almost see the scrape of censor’s scissors.
In one case, as later investigation on IMDB revealed, an entire, apparently hilarious scene had been excised.
Now this is less about that particular scene (or any other), but is rather a question borne out of general curiosity.
Does Indian movie censorship annoy anyone else?
And do you think that the Central Board of Film Classification is doing a good job? Is it accountable for its actions and transparent enough in its choices?
13 Replies
i seriously feel that the indian censor board really doesnt have a clear-cut way of functioning, what with certifying every other movie with an ‘A’certificate and that too without any proper elaboration on the reason…many a times the creativity of an artist is maared due to such mindless actions. one quote often heard is that the indian audience isn’t ready for too ‘mature’ stuff but then who decides that??as if if someone had to morally corrupt himself, he won’t do so if kept away from ‘controversial’ cinema!!!
I completely agree, there does not appear to be any transparency.
Censorship, even under the guise of protecting morality, etc, should always be looked at very critically I feel.
Has anyone ever filed an RTI request or so to get more details on the film censor? Is the CBFC subject to RTI?
naa no idea but definitely never heard of a case like that..mostly what film-makers do is resort to editing the ‘objectionable’ portions of the film and resend it for scrutiny by the censor board and for the sake of a decent enough certification, important and pivotal parts are also, at times, done away with..though thats a shame!!
Yes, the censor board in India do bugs me when the chop off some important part in a cinema… I guess some films will never get released in India due to excessive censorship… The criteria of A, U/A, U are not adequate.. they should immediately think of offering some thing in the lines of Britain like:
Name Definition/Notes
Universal All ages admitted, there is nothing unsuitable for children.
12A May be unsuitable for under 12s. Those aged under 12 are only admitted if accompanied by an adult at all times during the performance (cinema only). Example: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
12 Suitable only for those aged 12 and over.
No-one younger than 12 can rent or buy a 12 rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game. Example: Miss Congeniality
15 Suitable only for those aged 15 and over.
Nobody younger than 15 can see a 15 film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 can rent or buy a 15 rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game. Example: Severance (film)
18 For adults only.
Nobody younger than 18 may see an 18 film in a cinema.
No-one younger than 18 can rent or buy an 18 rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game. Example: Pulp Fiction
Restricted 18 For adults only.
May only be shown at licensed cinemas or sold at sex shops, and only to people aged 18 or over.
Good thread and suggestion legaltiger! Any chance this could ever be realised? Who controls the censors? How are they funded? Does anyone care?
Just saw this:
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/101756/Cinema/censors-pass-aruna-shields-nude-scene.html
Looks like the censors are becoming more permissive. Having not seen the movie in question and although they seem to have made the right decision in this case I would still be worried if some old men sitting in a dark room somewhere decide for me whether a scene is essential to the plot or not.
I am totally against Censorship. I mean, seriously, if the people involved have no problem then why do we have to get the censor board in between.
Porn movies are a different thing. They have nothing else except the scenes but what about the movies which are generally watchable by everyone but just because of some scenes, is not passed by the board.
I also saw the Aruna Shields link yesterday. I guess this can be called as a liberalization of the board.
I hope they get their act together. Nowadays you cannot stop people from kissing on screen by threatening to give them an ‘A’ certificate.
Imagine watching Rock’n’Rolla without the swear words. The movie won’t work.
Although I do agree that unnecessary flashing should be avoided. Directors should try to sell the movie on the basis of the content and not on the scenes in the movie.
Two interesting articles on cinema censorship as part of the Independence Day weekend’s excellent free speech themed Mint Lounge issue:
http://www.livemint.com/2010/08/13223106/Camera-action-cuts.html?d=1
http://www.livemint.com/2010/08/13204941/Anand-Patwardhan—A-prisoner.html
Seems like new ratings and system could be on the horizon - good news no? Or do you reckon it will just get bogged down in paperwork and never see the light of a projector (sorry about that pun!)
I think censorship has a positive and a negative aspct ! Some movies surely needs censorship because those portions can create certain amount of discomfort in some sections of society !!
Here is a fascinating article analysing Indian cinema censorship by Arpan Banerjee, who seems to be quite an authority on the subject.
Meant to share this ages ago but didn’t get to it.
Definitely worth a read, it dissects the philosophical, religious and jurisprudential basis and history, and makes a strong argument against cinema censorship:
[url=http://www.earlemacklaw.drexel.edu/lawreview/Articles/~/media/Files/law/law%20review/spring\_2010/Banerjee557626.ashx\]http://www.earlemacklaw.drexel.edu/lawreview/Articles/~/media/Files/law/law%20review/spring\_2010/Banerjee557626.ashx\[/url\]
It was first published here:
http://www.earlemacklaw.drexel.edu/lawreview/Articles/
Would love to hear your views.
Kian , the CBFC has a six point mission statement , and one of the points reads as follows :
To maintain transperency about Board’s activities through voluntary disclosures , implementation of e-governance , prompt replies to RTI queries and publication of annual report.
The lack of transparency makes one wonder if the RTI has been invoked regularly - [url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?265779\]apparently ,all attempts to curtail censorship have been thwarted by the government of the day[/url] - S.3(1) of The Cinematograph Act , 1952, vests absolute power with the Central Government to appoint the chairman and the members of the board - needless to say, [url=http://http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?265779\]they stack their own party men on the board[/url].The sixty year old Act maybe repealed to be replaced by a new one , [url=http://infochangeindia.org/Media/Related-Analysis/Sarkar-as-censor.html\]though the structure of censorship is largely unaltered.[/url]
to legal beagle: I have filed RTI requests regarding film censorship. They are indeed very prompt. I disagree that there is no transparency.
I really don’t think that censorship is that important an issue because most Indians like watching simple Bollywood films . Also, bigshots usually get away with controversial stuff. Censorship is a nice topic to choose for an inter-college debate or to write a gassy academic article (like I did), but it’s not as big an issue as it is made out to be. I know people in the film industry and the censor board btw.
Our main focus should be on why India makes such poor films. We are far behind Iran, Korea, Japan and Hong Kong.
Seriously? its obvious , A rated movies, and still…!! GODD..!!all the fun is missing..!! cuts cuts cuts…! so annoying..! its better to download and watch than going to a cinema..!! after all what is there to hide..!! why are these people so stupid..!if you take a poll from people who watch hollywood movies in india.. 99% would not agree on the bloody censor cuts..! after all we are not 10yr olds sneaking in for a “A” rated movie..!
That is not the case.In Kerala, film censorship is being used to stifle small producers and independent filmmakers by various film associations seeking to perpetuate their supremacy. Films like ‘Kalabbha Mazha’, director Vinayan’s movies were initially denied Censor certificates by insider games played by Industry and Censor board officials.