Is Political Censorship Affecting Film's Creativity?

There was a time in the history of Hindi and Marathi film industry when the sole purpose of the movie was only to entertain the audience through a number of songs and happy ending stories that would give us a temporary mood change. However, many film makers in both the film industry are now going on different routes and you can see that in past decade many new films have been released that questions our inner consciousness and the problems that we are facing in the society.

Movies like Maachis, Matrabhoomi, and Parzania were banned in few states because film makers had gone all the way to show the naked truth that is eroding the very basics of our so called cultured society. To be very honest, I had a notion in my mind that Marathi film makers can only make humorous movies like Dhadaakebaaz and Zapaatlelya, but I was so wrong. Today, Marathi film makers are changing lanes and are coming up with new topics that have never been handled on screen. In recent years, movies like Pak Pak Pakaak and De Dhakka have not only entertained us but also made us realized that somewhere we are falling short of our duties and moral responsibilities.

Currently, two Marathi movies are in the news and they are Zenda and Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho. Both the movies are being the victims of political censorship as our politicians are using their righteous powers in a wrong way.

Avdhoot Gupte's "Zenda" which was already scheduled for released on 8th January, 2010 has been put on hold as Narayan Rane's son Nitesh Rane has felt that few of the scenes in the movie degrades his father's image. On the other hand, Mahesh Manjrekar's "Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho" is targeted for using an abusive slang in the title of the movie and Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal (ABMCM) feels that the title degrades the very image of mother.

However, such political censorship is really harmful for the creativity and the freedom of expression where everyone of us has the right to put forward his or her views. Political parties often use their muscle and political power to suppress such film makers and if such situations happen we can be sure that creativity will soon disappear from the film industry. Marathi news channel IBN Lokmat was airing a particular show where they were asking the audience to give out their opinions on whether they think that the title Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho is offensive or not and 64 percent of the crowd replied negatively saying that the title is a symbol of frustration that a student has to go through in today's competitive times, but still some of the ABMCM supporters were not satisfied.

Not really sure of what the outcome of this debate will be but it clearly shows the level of hypocrisy and double standards that is deeply rooted in our political system.