The ban call has been given by the Theatre Owners' Association (TOA), Cinematograph Exhibitors' Association of India (CEAI) and the Indian Motion Picture Distributors' Association (IMPDA). It will apply to the Mumbai circuit mapping areas in Gujarat, Maharashtra (minus Vidarbha and Marathwada) and the four districts of Belgaum, Dharwad, Bijapur and Karwar. Though none of the trade bodies has issued an official circular in this regard, their collective clout will be able to enforce the ban. ``Together we control the cinema halls, and we will see to it that no theatre in the Mumbai circuit will releaseforeign dubbed films,'' said a spokesperson for one of the trade bodies. N N Sippy, president of the IMPDA, claimed that the dubbed films were a blot on Indian culture.

``We don't mind if foreign film distributors showed their films in their original versions, as audiences for English films are enlightened and understand Westernised culture. But the rest of the audience doesn't''.The real reason, however, may well be the money these films have managed to mop up. Films like Jurassic Park, Godzilla and Titanic have raked in big bucks comparable to the average Hindi hit film. Last year saw as many as 30 films being dubbed in Hindi, of which 13 came from American companies, including Armageddon, Air Force One, Tomorrow Never Dies, Mask of Zorro, Speed 2, Home Alone, Blue Lagoon and Dr Dolittle.

Admitted Sippy, ``These dubbed films are affecting the collections of Hindi films. While scenes of sex and violence are subjected to severe cuts in Hindi films, the censors are liberal with English movies. Naturally,then, these uncut scenes make it to the dubbed version as well.'' He hastened to add that the trade bodies were not against the import of foreign films as such, but were against them being dubbed in Hindi. The American film companies were not available for comment.

However, Foreign Film Chamber of India president Jatin Hemdev dismissed the arguments as `silly'. ``This is an arbitrary decision which can be challenged under the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission (MRTP). ``How can a bunch of trade bodies decide to stop legally imported and censored films from being released?'' he questioned.

The government had prevented dubbing and release of imported films between `84 and 91, but reversed its decision in 1992. ``The release of dubbed imported films has generated many jobs, including a flourishing dubbing industry. And why should films like Jurassic Park and Titanic be restricted for elite viewing only and not be seen by all? The trade bodies are trying to subsidise the mediocrity ofHindi films by stopping the dubbing of foreign films,'' Hemdev told Express Newsline.