Ram Gopal Varma Calls For End To Film Censorship
MUMBAI – Stating that censoring films is an insult to audiences, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma on July 15 called for a ban on film censorship.
Varma wrote, “Censoring films actually is an insult to the audiences. In an era of smartphones, global streaming, and access to infinite information, to pretend that a government appointed committee (What is the qualification of its members?) can shield adults from the film makers’ perspective of any truth is not only outdated, but it’s also idiotic.”
He questioned why adults trusted to vote, raise families and run businesses should not be trusted to decide what they watch.
“Here’s the fundamental hypocrisy… If an adult is mature enough to vote for the leader of the country, raise families, run businesses, why the hell can’t they decide for themselves what to watch?” he said.
Varma argued that a movie is a filmmaker’s perspective and that viewers should have the freedom to agree or disagree with it. He also contended that censorship has become ineffective because uncut versions of films are readily available online.
“Cutting a scene for theatrical release is laughable because the uncut version will hit torrents, Telegram, and all international platforms within hours,” he wrote.
Referring to the film ‘Obsession’, Varma claimed a censored scene ultimately reached a wider audience online.
“Case in point is the head banging scene in ‘Obsession’ which after the censors cut it, must have been seen by 10 times more people on Insta reels than who actually watched the film in the theatres,” he said.
Claiming that censorship creates more demand rather than hiding content, Varma said gatekeeping has become meaningless in the age of AI and the borderless internet.
“Forcing trims on language, sensuality, violence, or ideology turns cinema into a dishonest and hypocritical slop. When everyone including children can binge watch brutal news and unlimited online extremes, how come only cinematic moments trigger bans?” he asked.
Varma said films should carry clear content information instead of being subjected to cuts.
“It’s not cuts what we need, but it’s to be clear what the film contains, and then have respect for the audience to decide for themselves to watch or not,” he said.
He also urged the film industry to collectively challenge the current system of censorship.
“I think it’s time for the industry to come together to challenge the very existence of the censor board in its present form, both in courts and public discourses. Democracy demands free expression and in a connected world, isolating and mutilating cinema is not just being blind and deaf … it is actually suicidal for our growth. #BanTheCensor,” he wrote. (IANS)
