Films with vulgarity get clearance, those reflecting reality face censorship hurdles: Javed Akthar
Mumbai (PTI): Veteran screenwriter-lyricist Javed Akhtar has expressed his disappointment that movies reflecting the reality of society face hurdles from regulatory bodies in India, while those rife with vulgarity seem to slip through the cracks.
Speaking at an event on Friday, Akhtar said it is a bad audience that makes a bad film successful.
"In this country, the fact is that vulgarity will still be passed by (the film regulatory bodies), they do not know that these are wrong values, a male chauvinistic view that is humiliating women and is insensitive. What will not be passed is something that shows the mirror to society," he said at the inaugural session of Anantrang mental health cultural festival.
Akhtar said films merely try to depict reality.
"A film is a window into society through which you peek, then close the window, but closing the window will not fix what is happening,” he cited.
Talking about the impact of hyper-masculinity portrayed in films on mental health, Akhtar said that the popularity of such films stems from societal approval.
"It is because of the mental health of men that such films (about hyper-masculinity) are being made. If the mental health of men becomes better, then such films won't be made, and even if they are made, they won't work (in theatres)," he said.
"For instance, people who are religious and whenever they face hurdles, they never blame god for it. Likewise, in show business, the audience is the god. It is a bad audience that makes a bad film successful," he said.
Films are a manifestation of what is happening in society, and their producers often run behind trends, and they make such movies only, he added.
Akhtar voiced his discontent about the proliferation of "vulgar" songs in cinema, and added that he has consistently rejected such offers as they don't align with his values.
"There was a time, especially in the 80s, when songs either had double or no meanings, but I would not do such films. I am not sad about the fact that people recorded such songs and put them in films, but I am sad that the songs became super hits. So, it is the audience that influences the film," he said.
"Like, the song, ‘Choli Ke Piche Kya Hai’, is something I have heard many parents say with a lot of pride that their eight-year-old daughter dances perfectly on this track. If these are the values of the society, what do you expect from the songs and films that will be made? So, the society is responsible, cinema is only a manifestation," Akhtar claimed.
Amid the rise of such content, Akhtar praised the recent film, "Saiyaara", for its soothing melodies and nostalgic charm. The romantic drama, directed by Mohit Suri, featured two newcomers, Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda.
"A movie like this (Saiyaara) comes, and its music, there is a stillness in it and an old charm to it like earlier times. Today, music has become so frantic that the percussion overpowers the voice, and you can barely hear the words. So, if a movie comes out in that, which may not be perfect but provides you with a little shade because you are so tired of this ruthless sunlight, that you feel nice," he said.
To a query if listening to sad poetry or songs can make one more depressed, Akhtar replied, "Yes and no".
"It isn't good to disown sadness; otherwise, it will hit you somewhere else. Earlier, films had one or two sad songs, but now, such songs are not seen in our films because ‘Humare ache din aa gaye hai’. This kind of denial is very unhealthy. If you are sad, then you cry, and accept that sadness, denying it will distort your mind," he said on a lighter note.
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Protests against Khamenei's killing: Curbs remain in force in Kashmir
Srinagar (PTI): Strict restrictions remained imposed in many areas of Kashmir for the third consecutive day on Wednesday following massive protests across the valley against the killing of Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, officials said.
As a precautionary measure, the government shut educational institutions till Saturday, while mobile internet speed continued to remain throttled.
"Restrictions on the movement and assembly of the people continued in many parts of Kashmir on Wednesday," the officials said.
They said strict restrictions were being enforced especially in the parts having large Shia population and those areas which have witnessed massive protests over the last three days.
A large number of police and paramilitary CRPF personnel were deployed across the city to prevent gatherings of protestors, the officials said.
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They added that concertina wires and barricades were placed at important intersections leading into the city, while asserting that these were precautionary measures imposed to maintain law and order.
The iconic Ghanta Ghar in the city centre of Lal Chowk here continued to remain a no-go zone after the authorities sealed area with barricades erected all around it on late Sunday night.
The move to seal the Ghanta Ghar came after it witnessed massive protests on Sunday after Khamenei's assassination in the joint air strikes by the US and Israel.
This is the first time since August 2019 that protests on such a large scale have taken place in Kashmir.
The government had first ordered the closure of schools, colleges and universities for two days. However, on Tuesday it decided to close the educational institutions till Saturday as a precautionary measure in view of the protests.
Mobile internet speeds continued to remain throttled while some prepaid mobile connections were also barred, the officials added.
On Tuesday, protests rocked several places in the valley, including Sumbal and Pattan areas of North Kashmir.
In Sumbal of Bandipora district, security forces had to resort to force to disperse the demonstrators.
Some media outlets and individuals, including National Conference Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, and former Srinagar mayor Junaid Azim Mattu, faced police heat for allegedly circulating misleading information.
A case was filed against Mehdi and Mattu under BNS sections 197(1)(d) and 353(1)(b) at Cyber Police Station, Srinagar, for allegedly circulating "false, fabricated and misleading content" on digital and social media platforms.
"The content in question, prima facie, reflects the dissemination of distorted narratives and unverified information capable of causing public unrest and societal disharmony. Such deliberate attempts to spread misinformation pose a serious threat to peace, security, and overall stability," the police said in a statement.
Both have been condemning the killing of Khameinei and the attacks by the US and Israel on Iran.
However, hours after the registration of the case, Mehdi, an influential Shia leader, said he would not be deterred from speaking the truth.
"The people of Srinagar did not elect their MP to recite government-approved condolences. They elected him to speak truth. That mandate does not expire with an FIR," he said in a post on X.
Police has issued an appeal to people to refrain from violence and provocation.
"We appeal to all sections of the society to exercise restraint and refrain from violence and provocation," it said.
Police said they will take strict legal action against instigators of violence and those involved in unlawful activities.
On Tuesday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha directed officials to be on high alert and chaired a meeting of top officials of the police and army here.
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"Chaired a meeting of senior police & civil administration officials at the Police Control Room, Kashmir, to review the law and order situation. Directed the officers to remain on heightened alert and take all necessary measures to ensure public peace and tranquillity," Sinha said on X.
He appealed to the people and community leaders to maintain peace.
"I also appeal to the citizens and community leaders to uphold harmony and contribute to an atmosphere of calm and goodwill in society. Preserving peace and sustaining the progress of society is a shared responsibility that rests equally upon each one of us," he said.
