Our film industry is cautiously optimistic that the Modi government might implement the “industry status” it accorded to it last time when it was in power, but is seriously concerned about the government becoming a cultural dictator who could clip wings of creativity.
Film makers in general feel that if it is an industry then the entertainment tax, which is 35% or higher, is excessive. They rightly point out that earlier the system was disorganized so the theatres routinely under-reported their revenues to evade tax. But since it can’t be done now, they argue that the tax on film industry should be in line with other industries, especially because the government does not invest back in the film industry.
They are hopeful because as they point out that Modi already has good relations with several Bollywood stars such as Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan and his father Salim Khan, South Indian heart throb Rajinikanth, Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, Paresh Rawal and director Madhur Bhandarkar. They also like the fact that Modi used some of the film stars as BJP candidates from different constituencies.
However, the film industry does not want any level of involvement by the Modi government when it comes to content. Content of films, they say, is about liberty and freedom of expression. So the main underlying concern is whether the Modi government will try to stifle creative freedom in the name of preserving Indian culture? Some film makers also contend that once the government-controlled Board censors a movie, the government should do everything to ensure its universal screening.
If the government does not have the power to help a certified movie to be shown in cinemas, they say, then the government is not playing its proper role for the industry. There are some film makers who question very structure of the Censor Board itself. The Censor Board, they say, should be made up of sociologists, historians and academicians. At present, they say, the government appoints an eminent person as the head, and the rest of the members are chosen from ministers’ wives, MPs’ cousins and so on who have no idea about films. While some film personalities question the very need of a Censor Board, saying no other country has it and that TV content in India doesn’t go through any censoring process.
In a recent remark on Zoom TV, film maker Mukesh Bhat, recounted his experience with earlier BJP governments. “My film Zakhm (1998) was banned. It revolved around the 1993 riots in Mumbai. Everybody knows the saffron brigade was a problem and we were told to change the colour of a band used in the film — from saffron to maroon. My brother (Mahesh Bhatt) did not compromise because the film was close to his heart. Back then, Ashaji (Parekh) was the chairman of the Censor Board. The film went on to get a National Award for its theme of national integrity.” Bhatt argues that the old guard was different. Now, he says, the fear is that the right-wing government might become a cultural dictator. But the fact is that in his inaugural speech, Modi spoke about progress and development, and progress, also means not clipping wings of creativity and expression.
Mukesh Bhatt is particularly concerned about the situation where the centre approves a film through the Censor Board but a state is against it and disallows its screening. He cited Prakash Jha’s film “Aarakshan” as an example. It was approved by the board but banned by Mayawati. He argues that often when the state government is not the same as the one at the centre, for the sake of political vendetta, they raise unnecessary objections. Film makers are also concerned about the attitude some religious communities in India can have about a film and the ruckus they raise about it. They expect fringe Hindu nationalist groups such as Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal to be more active now since their political front – the BJP -- is in power.
Most film makers believe the BJP manifesto is pretty impressive and hope that freedom of speech, expression and creativity will not be hampered. Modi’s mindset, they argue, is progressive. Senior film maker Subhash Ghai told Zoom TV that the censorship issue has remained unresolved since the past 40 years, and he doesn’t see things improving.
He said, “The Board wants us to censor ourselves, and we don’t want to do that, because individual expression is subjective. How does one censor one’s own project?” Based on his personal talk with a few BJP leaders, Ghai felt this time they are more receptive because they are coming after a gap of 10 years. “They really have to look into this,” he said, “with a fresh mandate. They will definitely approach the industry with a more open mind.”
But will Modi’s progressive attitude soften the fringe Hindu fundamentalist groups or harden their stance, is any body’s guess.
Author/news analyst Ravi M Khanna is a former South Asia bureau chief of Voice of America who now does free lance reporting from New Delhi.
Feedback: ravimohankhanna@gmail.com
