As Indian cinema completed a century, Telugu actor Akkineni Nagarjuna said that all types of moral policing on cinema by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) should be stopped.
|Last Updated: May 06, 2013, 01:15 PM IST|Source: Bureau
Chennai: As Indian cinema completed a century, Telugu actor Akkineni Nagarjuna said that all types of moral policing on cinema by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) should be stopped. He said cinema can`t be held accountable for what is happening in society.
"It`s good to have a governing body to oversee matters in making of films, but you can`t blame films for what is happening in society. This type of moral policing on films should stop right away," Nagarjuna told, when asked about one thing he would like to change about the 100-year-old industry.
After the Dec 13, 2012, Delhi gang-rape case, many - including CBFC - have been blaming cinema for the adverse effect on viewers. Also, ethics of actors, who are seen smoking on screen, are being questioned for having a bad influence on the younger generation, which blindly idolises stars.
"It doesn`t make sense to blame cinema for every rape and robbery in the country because one should understand that it`s a medium of entertainment. If there is one change I would like to see happen as we complete a hundred years of Indian cinema, then it has to be this," he said.
Nag, as he is fondly known, also feels that a ban on smoking on screen is unfair.
"I don`t see what effect a statutory warning on screen during a smoking or drinking scene will have on the audience. I believe we are only reminding them from time to time that the characters are smoking and drinking, which will only lead to an adverse effect," said Nag, who has acted in films like ‘Ninne Pelladatha’ and ‘Annamayya’.
"People know excessive consumption of anything is bad for health. By imposing a ban on something, we are in a way provoking them to do it," he added.
The 53-year-old owner of Annapurna Studios feels it is time to revise the ticket pricing system so that filmmakers can profit.
Nag said: "There should be flexibility on ticket prices in multiplexes. It`s sad that we pay Rs.120-150 for a ticket in a multiplex in Andhra Pradesh. In a multiplex, a bucket of popcorn costs Rs.120, an aerated drink is for Rs.100 and even parking is charged on a per hour basis."
"The first one week to 10 days` collection is very crucial for every film. If tickets are so low priced and go further down during weekdays, how can producers and distributors make money?
"In other countries, tickets are priced high during the first and the second week to help films break even and earn more if the film is good. The first week is also very crucial because pirated CDs are out by the end of first week. The government can`t stop piracy, so they may as well allow us to have high ticket prices," Nag said.
IANS
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies Setting
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device and the processing of information obtained via those cookies (including about your preferences, device and online activity) by us and our commercial partners to enhance site navigation, personalise ads, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. More information can be found in our Cookies and Privacy Policy. You can amend your cookie settings to reject non-essential cookies by clicking Cookie Settings below.
Manage Consent Preferences
Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work or you may not be able to login.
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
Targeting Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advert as well as help measure the effectiveness of an advertising campaign. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we may not know when you have visited our site, and may not be able to monitor its performance.