Cinema to blame for stalking, says Madras HC

Chennai: Pointing out that movies of late portray mainly obscenity, violence, victory of evil over good and other negative themes, the Madras high court said the cinema industry, especially, the leading actors, should think over before accepting any role as to the impact it is likely to cause on the society in general, as well as on youngsters and their fans.

“Gone are the days of actors like MGR and Sivaji Ganesan, whose films and the characters portrayed by them went a long way in reforming the society and in inculcating moral values in the minds of the public”, the judge pointed out.

Furthermore, “Many social evils and recent crimes are, no doubt, the effect of recent films. Youths are made to believe that they can win over an urban girl by constant stalking and when they fail in their attempt, they are unable to withstand the frustration and they resort to committing crimes”.

Actors should also avoid drinking and smoking in their movies so as to prevent their fans from following them, said Justice N. Kirubakaran while passing interim orders in favour of producer S.Thanu in respect of his Tamil film “Kabali”, starring superstar Rajinikanth, scheduled to be released on July 22.

The judge said the cinema industry has a reciprocal obligation to society. Cinema industry had done yeoman service in many ways by making movies highlighting human and moral values, patriotism etc., But, the hard reality is that it has become a thing of the past.

When television serials were bent upon destroying family values by portraying women as “villis”, the movies, of late, portray mainly obscenity, violence, victory of evil over good and other negative themes. Some cinema songs were loaded with negative messages and sung by young iconic heroes.

The judge said thugs and criminal elements were eulogized as heroes.
This court, in the judgment rendered in Tamizh Nadu Brahmin Association Vs Central Board of Film Certification had decried the use of negative titles to the movies, mindless violence, brutality in scenes and negative message being disseminated through movies.

While making a film, it was the bounden duty of cinema industry and
those involved in making of films, especially, leading actors, to ensure that it
was made not only to fetch high returns, but also to serve society. In view of the present day scenario in cinema industry, the impact of cinema on the masses and circulation of large amount of money in the business, a form of self-regulation is necessary for the cinema industry in the line of “Corporate Social Responsibility.”

Therefore, the Centre should respond with regard to suggestion made by the court to cast a social responsibility/obligation similar to ‘Corporate Social Responsibility” on cinema industry”, the judge said.