Bollywood actor Kajol Mukherjee recently attended a special session at the 15th edition of FICCI Frames 2014. This session was organised in partnership with LA India Film Council. The Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge star, was speaking on the ideas behind censorship guidelines and she said that it’s not fair to say that one gets influenced by watching cinema.
“My kids are in front of the computer 24X7 despite having all the parental control. There is no way to stop the flow of information. It is too fast and too much. If you say one gets influenced watching a character, I think it’s foolish. Cinema reflects society, society rarely reflects cinema,” said Kajol.
According to Kajol, movies are a depiction of the occurrences in the society. She elaborated upon this by citing examples of the process of depicting actors as particular characters on-screen. Kajol said that if an actor is shown smoking on-screen, it is because 90% of the country smokes and not the other way round. It is hence stupid to think that the societal norms and practices are influenced by the cinema, reported IBN Live.
Kajol shared the platform with filmmaker Sudhir Mishra; Rakesh Kumar, CEO, Central Board of Film Certification; Filmmaker and co-chair of FICCI Ramesh Sippy and Ravi Kottarakara, president, Film Federation of India.
Mishra spoke about the ‘No Smoking’ disclaimer issue faced by the film-makers and said: “Our only request is, do not put ‘No Smoking’ disclaimer on the frame. Put it before or after the scene because you are taking away that moment from the filmmaker.”
Kajol said if a director has shot that particular scene, then with such disclaimer, “you are cutting down the creativity of the director”.
Rakesh responded to their complaint saying right now he cannot comment upon it as the matter is “sub judice in the court”.
However, when Kajol asked if the guidelines of the Censor Board can be changed, Sippy answered saying that they can try and bring changes in them.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 15th, 2014.
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