MADURAI: Dismissing a petition seeking to ban upcoming Deepavali Tamil flicks Kathi and Pulipaarvai, Justice N Kirubakaran of the Madras HC has lambasted both the film industry for its insensitive portrayal of issues and the self-proclaimed critics for their intolerance towards movie scripts.
A petitioner had sought a ban on the release of the two films claiming that both were produced by a Lankan businessman who had close connections with the Island Nation’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He had claimed that the movies, if released in the State, would hurt the sentiments of Tamils who were upset over the annihilation of ethnic Tamils.
Passing an elaborate order, Justice Kirubakaran said film producers must consider the impact of their movies on the psychology of impressionable students. He lamented that films these days contained a heavy dose of violent and obscene scenes. “The film industry cannot shirk its social responsibilities putting the blame on the people stating that people liked such stuff,” the judge said.
According to Justice Kirubakaran most of the recent films have become the source for criminals to get ideas on committing offences. He deplored the portrayal of love and elopement among school students.
The judge wanted film producers to avoid controversial subjects, which might go against the popular beliefs of the people. Filmmakers should rather respect the sentiments of the people and cannot escape their responsibilities.
At the same time, the court said that people should also go to a theatre to enjoy a film and nothing beyond that.
“Opposition to films like Kathi only proves the intolerance to criticism and growth of organisations with fundamental and extreme views,” the judge said.
Not sparing the Censor Board, the judge pointing to the recent arrest of a senior Central Board for Film Certification official on charges of bribery said, “persons who are entrusted with the onerous task (of clearing films) should be above board and any deviation would affect the society.” Therefore, the government should appoint people with commitment and integrity to the Board.
Wondering how the Censor Board allowed violent and obscene scenes, Justice Kirubakaran said the court expects that in future heroes in films would be role models and avoid scenes depicting rape and violence. Filmmakers must not glamorise drinking and smoking, immoral activities and illegal ways of achieving victory. Likewise songs must contain morals with stress on ethical and family values and importance of relationships, he suggested.
Refusing to ban the two films, the judge said the court cannot pass orders on presumption, assumption and conjectures. Once a film is certified for exhibition, petitioners on assumption of law and order problem cannot approach the police to register a plaint.