Will Censor Boards proposed rules curb violence against women

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

Canada: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…
USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart… The Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has always been a force to deal with, an organization formed in the 50s, sworn to regulate and protect an audience from malicious material. Ever since its initiation, the Censor Board has undergone many changes with various guidelines formulated to regulate the content in films. Rumor has it that, the latest censorship rules formulated have left filmmakers dismayed and seething about the unwarranted moral regulation.

Reportedly, the Censor Board has been proposing to ban the depiction of any kind of violence against women in films, in which not even an onscreen slap will be tolerated. A source from the CBFC said that this time, the board will not bend with pressure from opposing forces, as the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has given them a free hand with tackling the grave situation in the country. And it's not just violence against women which will be screened. Turns out, even the item songs that titillate spectators and portray women as sex objects will be thoroughly censored. With filmmakers compelled to bend to the new caveat or break into the void, one wonders if the new set of rules would make a difference in society or would it just mean that upcoming filmmakers would need to tweak their scripts. Bollywood Hungama gets some of the veterans from the industry to share their thoughts about the new censorships laws.

"When a censorship policy is being reviewed, the board does not involve people from the film industry", rues Onir, eminent film director, on the importance of having a member from the film fraternity on the censorship decision panel. "Why is it that we are constantly denying that we have an adult audience in the country, instead of tampering the work of an artist? The Censor Board policies are outdated and were formulated decades ago. Filmmakers constantly have to censor their thought process for the fear that their movies will not even get screened on satellite television," Onir said.

While talking about the latest development in terms of screening item numbers for inappropriate lyrics and gestures, Onir adds, "The word 'Item Number' in itself personifies women as sex objects and in a country like ours, where cinema plays a pivotal role, I think we need to reconsider presenting these item numbers in a different manner. It is stupid to think that cinema is the reason for some of the crimes that occur. Changing how cinema portrays women will not change society overnight. Although, it will be a positive step towards change because people are influenced by films."

However, Bejoy Nambiar, director of Shaitan and David, feels that movies are targeted due to government inaction with regulating crimes. He says, "I understand the concept when they say they want to tone certain things down. Although they should really focus on the perpetrators involved, with the same kind of pace and zeal that the movie medium is being targeted with. If that same type of swift response is taken by law enforcement agencies and with the power to judge the cases more effectively where perpetrators are tried are punished, then we can have faith in the government doing its bit. You cannot stop the ideas as at times, it might be relevant to a particular story. In such a case, a filmmaker will have to see how to incorporate those sequences more aesthetically, so it does not hurt any sentiments."

Eminent film producer Mukesh Bhatt rubbishes the notion of decline in crimes against women if the new censor rules are implemented. He says, "It was only yesterday, a live broadcast showed a woman being beaten up by cops since she filed for a sexual harassment case. Now is this projected in any film, the way the police behaved with the woman?" questions Mukesh. "With the various sections of society, the government gets pressurized every time. Why are films being targeted for abuse against women? Does the government really think that rapes occur because of movies? It is very easy to pass the buck, divert from the main issue and blame movies for every thing. They need to start owning up to their own inadequacies. The mindset of the North Indian men needs to change; the understandings should be imbibed from schooling. It would be long before the rules are regulated, since the government takes time with everything. This will not make any difference with the rate of crimes against women. However, with the new proposed censorship laws, if we do see a decline of crimes against women, I'll stop making movies." Mukesh asserts.

Prominent film producer Shrishti Arya feels that one needs to consider a narrative's aspect before any new censorship rule is commissioned. She says, "Films are a reflection of society in a lot of ways, at the same time we have a certain responsibility as well, what is important is what we are trying to say in a story. If there is violence against women which is being purely used to titillate an audience, then we should be responsible given the circumstances. At the same time, it is important to communicate the message of a film."

"The Censor Board is also governed by a higher body; I don't think they should make such decisions under pressure. The attitude of sweeping things under the carpet by pretending that these crimes don't happen in society is wrong. I think they need to figure out the certification process age wise and to know what is appropriate for Indian audiences," Shrishti concludes.

Renowned producer and former actor, Atul Agnihotri, considers the situation an act of human nature. He says, "Censorship is basically what society enforces; I think the laws need to be more specific as some stories are vendetta based violence. There are many ways to illustrate the agony of a character without making it explicit. If a script calls for violence towards a female entity, then I would definitely not make it to offend anyone. As a filmmaker, you are always conscious of what you put out. If you know something is going to affect someone in anyway, why would you film it? Governing bodies such as these do come under pressure, for they represent a part of society and put morals in place. I really think it is the type of content you show, for example a lot of violence is portrayed in cartoon films, and I don't think films come closer, to what Tom and Jerry do to each other."

Talking about the item songs coming under the scanner as well, Atul says, "Item songs and that type of entertainment have been around since the dawn of movies. In India, there are provocative performances which are quite common such as mujras. I feel the shelf life of a popular track is becoming less, and so everyone wants to do an item number to get noticed and make an identity. Item numbers are not about a crude woman talking about her assets, but are also about the performance, a musical remix etc. Even a 'Disco Deewane' song is an item song, it really depends on how perceive things. You can still contain the grip of a character without making it explicit."

The filmmakers have already started voicing their concerns over the new censorship laws that the CBFC apparently is chalking out to curb violence and disrespect against women on screen, however how strongly will it affect the content of Bollywood films is something that one will have to wait and watch, until CBFC officially announces the new law.

More importantly, will the censorship on film content really bring in the desired change in the society still remains a debatable topic.

Article written by staff at Bollywood Hungama. Read more