[Commons-Law] Fwd: Legal indian Porn?

[Kiran Jonnalagadda]

This is related to the recent discussion on censorship in India. It 
seems screening porn movies in public theatres is illegal after all.

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Srinivasan Ramakrishnan" <sriniram at symonds.net>
> Date: Thu Aug 7, 2003  4:53:02  AM Asia/Calcutta
>
> About time they put an end to the hypocrisy.
>
> -Srini
>
> --
>
>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/2099470.stm
>
>
> Saturday, 6 July, 2002, 07:47 GMT 08:47 UK
>
>
> Indian censors submit to porn
> India's film censors have decided to screen pornographic films in 
> dedicated
> cinemas to try to control the huge popularity of adult films in the 
> country.
> The BBC's Suniti Singh looks at their decision.
>
> It was rather strange that the idea to screen pornographic films in 
> special
> theatres in India came from the censor board itself.
>
> The chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Vijay 
> Anand,
> said: "The business of sex films is thriving in India because there is 
> a
> demand for such films."
>
> "Since we are unable to control it, we might as well try to regulate 
> it."
>
> The screening of pornographic films is currently illegal in India, but
> virtually every city has theatres which do so.
>
> Mostly in morning shows, the theatres circumvent the censor rules by
> re-inserting deleted scenes and bribing the local police.
>
> They also allow people who are under-age to see the films.
>
> The censor board has even hired private detectives to crack down on 
> such
> theatres, but is left in frustration.
>
> An onslaught of sex films reaching people's home via satellite and 
> cable
> television has not left much choice for the censor board.
>
> Confused
>
> The CBFC has always tried to act as the custodian of Indian morality,
> causing constant public conflict with film-makers.
>
> Many feel the board's decisions have often reflected confused 
> standards.
>
> Titillating dance movements, pointless rape scenes and obscene double
> entendres are passed without a hitch. But showing sex as a progression 
> of
> love and relationship is an absolute no.
>
> Even a kiss between consenting adults is not welcome.
>
> Mahesh Bhatt was refused a certificate for his film Zakhm, on grounds 
> that
> it could provoke communal disharmony.
>
> The film later won the award for best feature on national integration 
> from
> the Indian Government.
>
> Director Jagmohan Mundhra's film Bawandar tried to bring to life the 
> true
> story of an illiterate social worker of Rajasthan, who was raped three 
> times
> but did not give up her conviction to fight for the truth.
>
> The censor board considered the realistic portrayal of her plight 
> obscene.
>
> And it objected to the name of Nagesh Kukunoor's Hyderabad Blues - 
> because
> it found the word "blue" misleading.
>
> Perturbed by the constant censorship troubles over his films, actor and
> director Dev Anand went to the extent of making a film to express his
> discontent - aptly named Censor.
>
> Renowned film director Shekhar Kapoor got into a bitter battle with the
> censor board over the cuts ordered for his Oscar-nominated film, 
> Elizabeth.
>
> In an open letter to the then censor chairperson, Asha Parekh, he 
> called the
> board "ignorant, irresponsible, arrogant and arbitrary".
>
> Controversial
>
> Is India ready for the radical step of screening pornographic films in
> dedicated cinemas?
>
> That is the debate raging in the country ever since the censor board 
> chief
> Vijay Anand first mooted the idea.
>
> Veteran actress and member of parliament, Vjyanthimala Bali, strongly
> criticises the proposal, saying: "We are not Americans."
>
> On the other hand, liberals like director Mahesh Bhatt have welcomed 
> this
> move.
>
> But the surprise comes from the board itself. Former director Asha 
> Parekh,
> who is known for her rigid ways, approves this but has doubts whether 
> it can
> actually be implemented.
>
> "How will the board ensure that under-age people are not going to these
> proposed theatres and watching pornographic films?" she asks.
>
> There is also the fear of a public outrage.
>
> Deepa Mehta's film Fire - which showed a homosexual relationship 
> between two
> women - managed to avoid the censors' scissors but it was a different 
> story
> when it opened to the public.
>
> Political and women's groups, along with other members of the public,
> disrupted screenings.
>
> However, Vijay Anand seems determined to present his proposal before 
> the
> information and broadcasting ministry within two months.
>
> "I am prepared for all that comes," he says.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

-- 
Kiran Jonnalagadda
http://www.pobox.com/~jace