Like Aamir Khan starrer movie 'Laal Singh Chaddha' earlier this year, Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming film 'Pathaan' has become the target of an online hate campaign.
The right wing group Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) is now demanding an apology from the actor over the song "Besharam Rang" which in english means shameless color in the film. The actress Deepika Padukone is seen wearing a Saffron Bikini in the same song. Saffron is a significant color in Indian culture and is associated with Hinduism and national pride in India.But, is it appropriate to ban the use of any particular color in movies ? In India the Hindu groups are out to burin effigy of Deepika and Shahrukh Khan and calls for a public boycott of the movie.
The controversy was triggered when Dr Narottam Mishra , Home Minister of Madhya Pradesh state in an interview said that the costumes are highly objectionable and the song has been shot with a dirty mindset. He also stated that the scenes and costumes of the songs should be corrected, otherwise whether the film should be allowed in Madhya Pradesh or not, it will be a matter of consideration. The remark by Dr Narottam Mishra has immediately created a hype in social media.
According to the Cinematograph Act, the government is a legitimate party when it comes to deciding what the country can or cannot see. The Censor board of India has all powers to reject the films that come to them for certification. The Act also provides for pre-censorship or prior restraint
If the censor board finds that a movie is hurting religious sentiments, they have a few options for how to proceed. One option would be to issue a warning or caution to the filmmakers or distributors, advising them to consider making changes to the movie in order to avoid causing offense.
Another option would be to request that the filmmakers or distributors make changes to the movie in order to address any concerns about religious sentiments. This could involve cutting certain scenes or modifying dialogue or other elements of the movie.
If the censor board determines that the movie is significantly offensive or harmful, they may choose to prohibit its release or to impose restrictions on its distribution or exhibition. This could involve banning the movie altogether or requiring that it only be shown to certain audiences (such as adults only).
Ultimately, the censor board's decision will depend on the specific circumstances and the extent to which the movie is seen as hurting religious sentiments. It is important for the censor board to consider the potential impact of the movie on religious communities and to balance the right to freedom of expression with the need to respect and protect the rights of others.
Online hate campaigns have started, and hashtags are playing their role as usual. Hashtags have the potential to make art a casualty in India. Online campaigns can create a toxic and unwelcoming environment for artists and discourage them from tackling sensitive or controversial topics in their work. If artists are afraid of facing backlash and abuse online, they may be less likely to take creative risks and may instead opt for safer, more mainstream themes. This can result in a homogenization of the art industry and a lack of diversity in the types of stories being told.
If there are concerns about a particular film or other form of artistic expression, it is important to address these concerns through constructive dialogue and debate, rather than attempting to censor or suppress the expression in question. There have been several movies in the past which has hurt the Hindu sentiments. The success of a film or any other creative work should be based on its merit and quality, rather than on the appearance or attire. The question is why Indian movie makers don't consider the fact that their casual creative approach can lead to a a boycott Bollywood campaign.
Online hate campaigns can damage new movies in a number of ways. One way is by negatively impacting the reputation of the movie and the people involved in its production. If a movie is the subject of a hate campaign, it can generate negative publicity and cause people to view it in a negative light. This can lead to fewer people wanting to see the movie, which can impact its box office performance and profitability.
In addition, online hate campaigns can also create a toxic and unwelcoming environment for the people involved in the movie. Actors, directors, and other members of the production team may face personal attacks and harassment online, which can be distressing and damaging to their well-being.
Contrary to the belief that social media will negatively impact cinema, Shah Rukh Khan believes that cinema has an even more important role to play in shaping the narrative of our times. 'The collective narrative of our times is shaped by social media,' he stated at the opening of the 28th Kolkata International Film Festival.
According to Shah Rukh Khan, social media is often driven by a narrow perspective that promotes negativity and limits human nature to its most basic instincts. He believes that this negativity increases social media consumption, which in turn increases its commercial value. However, he also notes that this focus on negativity encloses the collective narrative, making it divisive and destructive. 'I read somewhere that negativity increases social media consumption and thereby increases its commercial value as well,' he stated
It is possible that social media can be driven by a narrow perspective that promotes negativity and limits the expression of human nature. However, it is important to note that this is not always the case and that social media can also be a positive and enriching platform for communication and connection.
Social media platforms are used by a wide variety of people with different perspectives and goals, and it is not accurate to make a blanket statement about the nature of all social media. Some people use social media to share positive and uplifting content, while others may use it to express negativity or to spread hateful or harmful messages.
It's also important to recognize that social media is just one aspect of modern life and that it is not the sole determining factor in how people express themselves or interact with others. While it may be true that some social media platforms and users promote negativity, it is important to remember that there are many other ways in which people can communicate and connect with each other.
There are several steps that can be taken to help protect Indian cinema from online boycott campaigns:
Encourage respectful and responsible online behaviour: Encourage people to be mindful of their online behaviour and to respect the rights and opinions of others. This can help to create a more positive and inclusive online environment.
Encourage dialogue and discussion: Encourage people to engage in respectful dialogue and discussion rather than simply attacking or boycotting a movie or artist. This can help to foster a more nuanced and thoughtful conversation about the issues at hand.
Support artists and filmmakers: Show your support for artists and filmmakers by purchasing tickets to their movies, engaging with their work online, and sharing it with others. This can help to counteract negative messages and show that there is a strong audience for diverse and thought-provoking films.
Use your voice: Use your social media platforms and other channels to speak out against online hate campaigns and to promote a more positive and inclusive online environment.
Report abusive behavior: If you see hateful or abusive behavior online, consider reporting it to the appropriate authorities or platform. This can help to reduce the impact of online hate campaigns and create a safer and more welcoming environment for all.