Lingering rigmaroles

Gagging the filmmaker

Denying censorship certificate to S Durga is a landmark moment of rising intolerance in Indian cinema. The reaction towards our movie is just the start of many more restrictions and curbs to come. Why is a movie crucified for its title when there was little to be criticised in its content? Had there been a similar instance to pick out from the past? This means more and more encroachment upon a filmmaker’s freedom of expression is in the offing.

I am not talking about something that is going to happen in the distant future. This has started, in fact. It is too early to divulge more about the film I refer to here. A Malayalam movie, taken to the censor board, was asked to mute portions where the names of Gandhi and Sree Narayana Guru are heard. Still, they won’t let them go scot-free. Unless a few more scenes are chopped, the film, starring noted actors, could hit the screen with an A certificate! The director has a clear idea about what should go into his film, what it should address and how it should be conveyed to the masses. Isn’t it ridiculous to force something upon a person’s creative work?

The latest argument is made on flimsy grounds, that the name of the movie in its official Facebook page is Sexy Durga. There’s no point digging out an FB page name to tarnish the film that is made  for the big screen. When the film was rechristened, we clearly stated that the S is left to the viewers’ interpretation
Even while the film has been beaten black and blue for its title name, there have been frivolous attempts to paint us as bad. One was to tease the authorities of a temple, which was the location for the movie. They were forced to complain against us it seems, that we shot the movie on the temple premises without seeking prior permission. With us was a letter of consent obtained before the shoot that helped us steer clear of another controversy.

It looks like somebody is plotting to delay the release of the movie. Filmmakers, take note, you may have to come prepared to face unexpected bolts from the blue if you stand by what you want to say.

Whose art is cinema?

There was a time when films in Malayalam cinema bore the watermark of the director and no one ever intervened. A pertinent question to be asked these days is ‘whose art is cinema actually?’ The attack on creative freedom occurs when factors outside cinema get into it. In a situation when anyone and everyone could interfere in a film, it loses its significance as an art form. It becomes more of an industry that survives by satisfying the market. Let cinema remain a democratic art, but an art nevertheless. Then cuts, form, content and style will bear the indelible mark of one person who conceives it creatively, the director.

Unrest occurs when a film becomes a superstar’s movie. Super stardom operates at multiple levels, be it distribution, production, exhibition or even deciding the cast and story. The protest against Ramaleela is not as simple as venting the wrath over the actor. It happens when an art seems entirely dependent on one superstar, which is a betrayal of its entire crew. The whole industry is dependent on the actor, and the superstar influences various activities involved in the making of film.

On another level, an artist and art are interlinked. It is not something pertaining to cinema alone, but to all kinds of art. Personal controversies and issues do have an impact on the reception of their works. For instance, we might love the work of a painter but if he is charged of paedophilia, wouldn’t people protest against his works of art? It happens.   

About Ramaleela, I felt there was an attempt to boost the image of actor Dileep once he got incarcerated. There was even a song in the movie (Nenjileri) that in a certain way favoured the actor, helping him steer clear of the issues and make a comeback. A mythical invocation was staged with the song talking about the actor’s predicament and the allegations against him as the angst of a mythical hero or God, in the process putting real ethical and moral values under the scanner.