At the receiving end for long and accused of not doing enough to fight back, the film fraternity has finally decided to act. The Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA), a producers’ body, and other sub-ordinate associations, have come out strongly against the way the industry has been “singled out and subjected to hostile, excessive, prohibitive burdens, which reasonably restricts theatrical exhibition of already censored films”.

According to the members of the Association, films like Parzania, Fanaa and Jo Bole So Nihaal have not been screened in a particular state or region even after clearance from the Censor Board — a body of the Government of India.

Recently, the release of Rahul Dholakia’s Parzania was opposed by members of the Bajrang Dal in Gujarat.

Madhur Bhandarkar’s Traffic Signal too has been banned for two months till further orders by the Himachal Pradesh government because it is alleged, the film hurts the sentiments of a particular ethnic group, causing breach of peace and disturbing public order.

“Such bans and opposition have happened earlier too but then no one came forward and supported the directors and producers. But now Madhur’s (Bhandarkar) Traffic Signal and Rahul Dholakia’s Parzania have become catalysts in this protest,” points out veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt.

Bhatt asserts that once a film is cleared by the Censor Board it is certain that it is fit for release. Why then all these unreasonable restrictions? He adds, “we are going to write to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, the President of India and the Prime Minister asking about their stand and policy”. After receiving a response they will decide the further course of action.”

... contd.