Journalism of Courage
She had already rocked the male-dominated mystery-action genre in Hollywood. After the critical and commercial success of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo internationally,the Indian audience too was eagerly waiting to watch the fiercely independent and asocial Lisbeth Salander avenge her sexual abuse; flirt with an investigative journalist and help solve a crime. However,to their disappointment,the Hollywood adaptation of Steig Larssons international bestseller by the same name is not likely to have an India release. The reason being cited is that the films director,David Fincher,is unwilling to abide by the cuts suggested by Indias Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
While the movies Indian distributor,Sony Pix,maintains that they are yet to take a final call on whether they will release the film with the cuts,CBFC says they cannot allow the sadistic violence and full-frontal nudity without pixelation. We certify on behalf of the audience and if the feedback that we receive regularly indicates that such content will not be appreciated,we cant give them the desired certificate, points out Pankaja Thakur,CEO,CBFC.
CBFC is still tackling official complaints about Delhi Belly even though the film was certified as Adult, she adds.
The censorship of Hollywood films in India has always been controversial. The urban audience has often complained that chunks of these films are cut out or words beeped out to suit the CBFCs sense of morality. The Board,in fact,was criticised for having had the expletives beeped out unnecessarily in Finchers last release,The Social Network. Thakur accepts that they made a mistake there,but blames such incidents on factors such as a lack of communication between the Board and the studios. We have been attempting to make censoring a joint process between the Board and the filmmakers. However,when a Hollywood film comes for censoring,the studios dont bother to send across a representative with powers to take a decision, says Thakur.
Citing the example of Dragon Tattoo,she adds that after the first set of cuts were suggested,Sony Pix didnt communicate with the Board in an attempt to explain why they would like to retain those portions of the film,the way Indian filmmakers do.
Sony Pix and other international studios have chosen to keep mum on the subject. A source from Fox Studios says that since the creative call has to be taken by makers and studio officials in the US,it becomes cumbersome. Besides,deadlines dont allow time for the change, he adds.
Since last April,the Board has been holding Samvads or dialogues with filmmakers,distributors,producers,the media and members of the audience to bridge the gap. The idea is to bust myths and to understand each others viewpoint, explains Thakur. However,she complains that despite invitations,no representatives from any of the Hollywood studios has ever attended these Samvads.
This can perhaps be attributed to the perception among the studios of the Boards approach towards censoring. A source from Paramount says that CBFC has been partial towards Bollywood. The violence in Agneepath is grotesque,yet it was passed with U/A rating. But Dragon Tattoo is not being allowed to release under an Adult rating without cuts, he says.
The bill to accommodate a 15-plus rating is likely soon,under which both Indian and international films with content like Agneepath can release without cuts. Thakur further explains that CBFC has been making a conscious effort to move with the times. We are trying to change the Boards approach; we dont wish to snip out parts and yet be responsible. If the audience feels it is ready to watch a film like Dragon Tattoo in its entirety,then they should let us know, she says.
