The Role Of Censorship In The Film Industry

The Role Of Censorship In The Film Industry

Film, a captivating tapestry of moving images and sound, has the power to transport us to different worlds, spark emotions, and ignite conversations. However, this artistic medium has been entangled with the thorny issue of censorship since its birth. This article delves into the multifaceted role of censorship in the film industry, exploring its justifications, criticisms, and the ongoing struggle to find a balance between artistic freedom and societal concerns. Censorship: A Moral Imperative? Advocates for film censorship often champion its role in shielding audiences, particularly children, from potentially harmful content. They argue that graphic violence, profanity, and sexually explicit material can desensitize viewers, normalize violence, or even inspire copycat behavior. This concern has been particularly pronounced with films depicting extreme violence, like Stanley Kubrick’s “A Clockwork Orange” (1971), which faced restrictions or bans in some countries due to fears of its potential influence. However, opponents of censorship counter that it undermines artistic expression and stifles filmmakers’ ability to explore complex themes. They argue that films hold a mirror to society, reflecting its realities, warts and all.  The Moral Minefield: Balancing Freedom and Societal Values Film censorship often becomes intertwined with cultural and moral values. Governments or independent boards may censor content deemed offensive to religious beliefs, national identity, or political ideologies. For instance, a film critical of a nation’s leadership might be banned, hindering open discourse and the ability of filmmakers to provide social commentary. On the other hand, some argue that censorship can be a tool for promoting cultural sensitivity and respect for diverse groups. Films perpetuating racial stereotypes or offensive depictions of religious practices might be subjected to edits or bans. However, this approach can also be seen as stifling important conversations about race, religion, and representation. The line between protecting sensibilities and hindering artistic exploration of sensitive topics remains an ongoing debate. A Look Back: Censorship Through the Decades The landscape of film censorship has been in constant flux throughout history. Early Hollywood operated under self-imposed guidelines like the Hays Code (1930), which established a moral code for filmmaking. This code restricted depictions of sexuality, violence, and social issues, often resulting in sanitized and formulaic films. However, landmark court rulings in the US established free speech protections for films, weakening formal censorship but not entirely eliminating it. Today, many countries have implemented rating systems that categorize films based on content, allowing audiences to make informed choices about what they watch. These ratings, however, are not foolproof and often spark debate. The recent editing of action sequences in superhero films for international markets highlights the ongoing struggle to balance content concerns with commercial viability. Additionally, independent filmmakers often face challenges navigating censorship boards, especially when tackling sensitive topics. Censorship in the Digital Age The emergence of streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime has added another layer to the censorship debate. These platforms operate outside of traditional regulatory structures, offering filmmakers potentially greater creative freedom. However, concerns remain about the potential for unregulated content, particularly when it comes to international audiences. Finding Common Ground: A Path Forward The ideal approach to film censorship likely lies in a space where artistic freedom and audience protection coexist. Here are some potential solutions that can pave the way for a more balanced approach: Evolving Rating Systems: Current rating systems often lack nuance. Implementing more detailed and consistent rating systems that accurately reflect content can empower viewers to make informed choices. Promoting Media Literacy: Fostering open dialogue about the potential impact of films can enhance media literacy and critical thinking skills among viewers. This can include educational initiatives in schools and public awareness campaigns. Independent Review Boards: Establishing independent review boards with diverse perspectives can offer a more balanced approach to film censorship. These boards should be composed of individuals with expertise in film, culture, and social issues. Parental Controls and Responsibility: Ultimately, the responsibility for what children watch lies with parents and educators. Equipping parents with tools like parental controls and providing media literacy resources can empower them to guide children towards age-appropriate films. Conclusion: A Call for Collaboration The film industry thrives on a delicate balance between artistic expression, audience engagement, and social responsibility. While censorship may hold a place in protecting certain audiences, it’s important to be mindful of its potential drawbacks. A collaborative approach, involving filmmakers, government bodies, independent review boards, and parents, is essential in achieving a balanced approach to film censorship. This can ensure a vibrant film landscape that sparks important conversations while upholding responsible content distribution. By acknowledging the multifaceted nature of film censorship and exploring solutions that prioritize artistic merit, audience safety, and global engagement, we can pave the way for a future where cinema continues to inspire, entertain, and challenge the status quo.  

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 Meet the Ace Choreographer, Coordinator and Actor

Meet the Ace Choreographer, Coordinator and Actor

When Rahul Dev Shetty, passed out from an Engineering College (Electronics) and began his career as a Telecom Engineer at United Breweries Ltd., little did he know that he would end up as a successful Fashion Choreographer, Coordinator and Actor one day. The tall, dark and handsome hunk from Bengaluru, made his foray into the Indian fashion industry as a model 25 years ago. He soon expanded to include Direction and choreography of fashion shows, model co-ordination and compering of entertainment and corporate events. As a model he has walked the ramp in over 400 shows in India and overseas and has done some major Advertising Campaigns for big brands. For the last two decades, he has been exclusively directing and choreographing high fashion events for designers and corporate clients across the country and abroad. He has also choreographed leading models like Lara Dutta, Deepika Padukone, Yana Gupta, Sheetal Mallar, Jesse Randhawa, Fleur Xavier, Viveka Babjee, Indrani Das Gupta Rajlaxmi, Tinu Verghese, Aryan Vaid, Zulfi Sayyed, Shawar Ali and Shayan Munshi to name a few. He has acted in films like Station and Lekar Hum Deewana Dil and will soon be seen in the much awaited psychological thriller called Lalbagh, produced by Raj Zacharias and directed by Prasanth Murali Padmanabhan. Rahul Dev Shetty speaks to thestyle.world, before the release of the film Lalbagh on his role in the movie and his other passions. 1. When and how did your first movie role come about? How has your acting journey been since then? It was the early 90s. Rajendra Singh Babu was looking for a new face in a Vishnuvardhan Sonu Walia starrer. I was a busy model by then and someone sent him my pictures. They asked me to meet them at Airlines hotel and I got selected for that role. After that I did two more Kannada films for Director Shivamani – Jaana and Mother India. Around that time, I moved to Bombay to try my luck in Hindi films and television. After I moved to Mumbai, films took a backseat as modelling was getting big at that time and getting breaks in films was very tough. I returned to Bangalore and luckily got a break as a choreographer with Encore events. I did that for almost two decades and then got a shot at films again. I began my second innings with an independent Hindi film called Station, helmed by Saad Khan. After I was noticed in Station, I got a role in a mainstream Bollywood film called Lekar Hum Deewana Dil, directed by Imtiaz Ali’s brother Arif Ali. 2. How did the role in Lalbagh come about? What preparation did you have to do for your role? I saw an ad in Facebook about a Malayalam film looking for new people in different age categories, so I applied for the one in my category and it was for a doctor’s role. Luckily for me the Producer Raj Zacharias happened to be an old friend and he did his research and told me that he had a bigger role for me in mind. But only if I cut my hair. I went for the look test and to meet the director Prasanth Murali. They gave me a haircut then and there and thought I fit the role of a cop and so here I was biting off more than what I had planned for. For the preparation of my role, I did some research on the police force. I was playing an ACP, so I had to work on my uniform, body language and some mannerisms! 3. How challenging was it? Luckily for me, my director Prasanth Murali Padmanabhan was in total grip of the shoot. Since he is the writer and an ad film maker, every shot was brilliantly designed as far as camera angles, colour tones of costumes and background, music score etc was looked into minutely. Even in my performance he would tell me to do more or underplay as the scene would require. The film is looking sophisticated and sleek because of his due diligence. Our producer Raj Zacharias saw to it that we had a comfortable set and congenial work environment so that we could all perform stress free and all the schedules and targets were met effortlessly. 4. How was it acting with the other co-stars? They were all seasoned actors – very professional and extremely helpful. Mamta Mohandas especially, was very generous with her time and patience with me. I got to learn so much from her and this one actor named Ajit Koshy from Chennai was brilliant! The other actors – VK Prasad, renowned ad film maker from Bangalore, Rahul Madhav, Ajit Koshy and Sudeep Karakkat were also fun to work with. 5. There’s a lot of Bangalore connect in the film right? Tell us more. The entire film was shot in Bangalore. The story is about a group of Malayalees living in Bangalore and an incident occurs, in the Lalbagh jurisdiction, hence the title. The city has been beautifully captured by the lens of Antony Jo the DOP. His placement of camera and lighting of each scene is impeccable. 6. Any memorable or fun experience or incident you can recall from the shoot? The funniest was when we were shooting on the KR Puram hanging bridge. It was an early morning shot, but Bangalore traffic is crazy at 7am on that road. It was a moving police jeep shot with a camera sticking out of the driver side window and one on the bonnet. This was taking time and we actors were tucked away in another car waiting for the jeep to be readied. The circle inspector in the scene with me was Rajesh Devaraj, another Bangalorean. By this time a huge crowd had gathered and this attracted the real cops to come and harass the film unit, for permissions and money etc. The moment the shot was ready, my colleague and I who was playing the inspector, both in full

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 Crocs and Priyanka Chopra Jonas to donate footwear

Crocs and Priyanka Chopra Jonas to donate footwear

Crocs and Priyanka Chopra Jonas will donate 10,000 pairs of footwear to healthcare workers in India. Crocs, Inc., a global leader in casual footwear for men, women, and children, in partnership with the brand’s global brand ambassador, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, announced to donate 10,000 pairs of footwear to healthcare professionals in Kerala, Maharashtra, Haryana and Karnataka. This charitable contribution is an initiative by Crocs and Priyanka to support healthcare professionals in India during the COVID-19 pandemic. Priyanka Chopra Jonas, actor, producer, and global UNICEF ambassador, stated, “Healthcare professionals across the country are our true superheroes, working everyday to ensure our safety and fighting for us on the frontlines. Their courage, commitment, and sacrifices are saving innumerable lives in this global pandemic. While we cannot even imagine what’s it like to be in their shoes, we can at least help them be comfortable in them. Because of the nature of their work, it is critical for them to have easy-to-clean shoes and apparel for themselves. I’m so proud to work with Crocs India to give 10,000 pairs of Crocs shoes to healthcare professionals in public and Government hospitals. We are so glad to be able to offer this support and hope this helps these caregivers in the fight against this virus.” Healthcare workers are on their feet for long hours and require a comfortable pair of footwear, now more than ever. Crocs™ shoes are designed with Croslite™ material that helps provide all day comfort. Further, the ability to easily clean the shoes will give healthcare professionals ease of mind before they go home to their families. Crocs President & CEO Andrew Rees stated, “We are pleased to work closely with our global brand ambassador Priyanka Chopra Jonas in order to extend our support to the healthcare professionals in India who are working on the front lines to help us fight this pandemic. We have spoken to healthcare workers and facilities all over the world, and they have specifically asked for our shoes in an effort to provide ease on their feet, as well as the ability to easily clean them before or after shifts. These workers have our deepest respect, and we are humbled to be able to answer their call and provide whatever we can to help during this unprecedented time. Together with Ms. Chopra Jonas, we will be able to support caregivers working in the public hospitals across 4 states in India – Maharashtra, Haryana, Karnataka, and Kerala. We would like to thank the respective state governments in helping us with this initiative” Crocs is committed to the cause of supporting healthcare workers across the world and is pursuing similar donations in other countries as well. Along with India, Crocs and Priyanka Chopra Jonas also announced a 10,000 pair donation for healthcare workers in The United States. Crocs and Priyanka Chopra Jonas to donate footwear

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