Kissing in films was earlier prohibited. But due to growing reach of electronic media, it has been permitted, I&B minister tells Lok Sabha.
NEW DELHI: It's official. On-screen kisses are no longer considered obscene.
Henceforth, the Central Board of Film Certification, better known as the censor board, will cast a more benign eye on passionate smooches in films, with policy makers deciding, "after careful consideration", that kissing is "admitted and permitted".
Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi said as much while responding to a question by Marxist MP Minati Sen on obscenity in film and on television and the need to give more teeth to the Cable TV Act 1995.
Dasmunshi urged MPs to take a more liberal line on the subject. He said that while a regulatory mechanism is in place, self-regulation is the most effective means of dealing with the subject of obscenity.
Dasmunshi was categorical in his statement: "I would like to inform members that kissing in films was earlier prohibited. But due to growing emergence of electronic media throughout the world, especially in the subcontinent, after careful consideration it has been admitted and permitted."
He said obscenity must be judged by the censors on the standards of the time. There is no statutory definition of obscenity or violence except in the Indian Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code. "But so far as films are concerned, what actually is violence or what actually is obscenity is to be studied with careful understanding of art, philosophy, and that is being studied by the censor board," Dasmunshi said.
Arjun Sethi, MP from Orissa, expressed doubts about such a liberal approach, but Dasmunshi stood firm, citing ancient Indian heritage in his defence. He pointed out that Konark, in Orissa, is considered a great example of Indian heritage and art. But if someone were to make a film on the same theme, it is likely to be denounced as obscenity.
Voices
I don't know why the ministry has to issue such statements when kissing and such scenes were never banned. But the board must look into censoring scenes especially on television.
Raageshwari, singer-actress
I would like to tell the ministry: "Welcome to the 21st century."
Shobhaa De, writer
It was there anyway. So whether the ministry admits or permits it does not matter.
Aditi Govitrikar, model
This was bound to happen eventually. Such scenes are placed depending on necessity and hence must not be obstructed.
Arbaaz Khan, actor
Ramadoss' ban could go up in smoke
The government's controversial proposal to ban smoking in films may be put on the backburner.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi said that while all measures need to be taken to discourage smoking, "content of a character (in any artistic venture) cannot be dictated or interfered (sic)".
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}