Debate on free expression gets fresh lease of life after protests force SRK to change the film title from Billu Barber to Billu. Is the word 'barber' offensive, asks MiD DAY
Debate on free expression gets fresh lease of life after protests force SRK to change the film title from Billu Barber to Billu. Is the word 'barber' offensive, asks MiD DAYu00a0
The movie Billu Barber is now plain 'Billu'. The change came about following objections to the term 'barber' by
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The Saloon and Beauty Parlours Association. The movie thus joins a long list of creative works that have come under fire for 'objectionable' words or content. MiD DAY brings you yet another episode of the eternal debate over freedom of expression.
According to Dr Kersi Chavda, vice president, Bombay Psychiatry Society,u00a0 such protests often reflect the growing intolerance in society. "Increasing stress is making us lose our capacity to look at situations in humorous light. Such indignation can sometimes work positively, but for most, it seems largely connected with achieving five minutes of fame."
Nilesh Singit, disability activist, who had protested against scenes and dialogues related to disabled people in SRK's Om Shanti Om, said, "We did not ask for the moon and the stars. Internationally, there are guidelines on depicting people with disabilities, but there aren't any standards here. To make light of a person's handicap isn't witty at all. The media is a mirror of society and so insensitive portrayals in films are bound to rub off on people watching it too."
Rarest of rare cases
Advocate Y P Singh added that often producers and petitioners were hand in glove to create hype for their films. "Under section 7 of the Cinematograph Act, after the Censor Board scrutinises the movie and issues a certificate, only in the rarest of the rare cases must such PILs come up for examination in a court of law.
"Also like the Supreme Court, the judiciary should impose fines to discourage people from using PILs as a vehicle for publicity," said Singh.
While, adman Prahlad Kakkar feels that the media needs to reach a consensus and collectively block out protesters. "They've changed the title today, but who knows about what problems they'll have with the word Billu tomorrow? I don't understand why we tolerate such trivial nonsense from individuals who are hungry for publicity. Today it's the barbers, tomorrow the doodhwalas will follow. All these groups just need to be blanked out," said Kakkar.
Flashback
Last month, Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire raised heckles over the term 'slumdog' among slum dwellers, who found the term derogatory.
Officials at Zee TV were cautioned by railway authorities over show posters, where actor Mahesh Manjrekar says 'I hate working women'.u00a0 Authorities found this to be offensive to female commuters.
The Delhi Commission for Women summoned Fashion director Madhur Bhandarkar before the release of the movie, expressing concerns over Kangana Ranaut's character, which bore similarity to the real life experiences of Delhi model Gitanjali Nagpal.
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