Smoking and Movies
The Indian government has recently decided to ban smoking in films. Our Minister for Health proclaimed proudly that we became the first country to ban smoking in Movies. This decision reeks of stupidity and shortsightedness.
I agree movies and actors should not glorify smoking but how far can we go in curbing the creative license of moviemakers. This decision is ridiculous because it affects the very characterisation of actors in movies. Tomorrow, they might decide to ban the show or use of guns in movies because it encourages violence. Then filmmakers can as well close shop and stop making movies.
If someone wants to smoke they will go ahead and do it. All the big warnings and gory images portraying organs full of tar, which are plastered all over the cigarette packets, is hardly effective in discouraging people from smoking.
The government should instead focus on enforcing no-smoking in public places and educating the people. Movies should not be held as the scapegoat for all the ills of society.
Machee
9 comments:
This looks like a publicity stunt by the health minister. He wants his name to be flashed across all media.
I think that there will be huge opposition from the film industry after which they will think of relaxing the ban little bit.
There is an interesting article from Aamir on this.
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=71518&headline=Govt~can't~force~me~stop~smoking,~do~drugs:~Aamir
Lolly
touchy subject..I could go either way...I think cinema is a reflection of society..for the 100 million odd, middle class,starry eyed movie goers, cinema is a escape. There is also that fine line where fiction blends into reality - where movie stars become heroes.. in real life, to real people. Kids emulate, they are impressionable..they will do 'cool' things that their cool idols do. Violence breeds violence..is it a coincidence that american teens are gun toting, angry trigger happy? One look at what's playing in the avg sub-urban movie theatre should give you a clue. Its in the culture. Movies are an expression of culture.
But they are also an expression of thought and art and of human experiences. Unless I had the consent of a vast majority I wouldn't make a gung-ho decision and impose my morality on the public. That is wrong.
As a sharukh Khan, I wouldn't smoke on screen..my conscience wouldn't allow it. But then again..sadly, Im not Sharukh Khan.
I doubt the motives of our dear Health Minister..I'd like to see more innovative ways to tackle the problem. How about every time you potray a 'cool' smoker in yr movie, you have to donate XX proceeds to Smoker Quitline or Cancer Research???? HA!
Amrita-Sounds like you have some good ideas there. Is the health ministry listening.:)
Machee
I don't know if there will be any opposition from the film industry, cause even the south indian cine Rajnikanth used chewing gum in his new movie to kick off against the anti-smoking ban.
if u wanna smoke smoke
wanna crack crack
wanna f&*k f&*k
in real life and movies
nobody has right to stop u
lolly
lolly,
time for your monthly bangkok trip ah?
:)
iyer
its koh phangan iyer
not bangkok
not phuket
Lolly
All I can say here is that these discussions have taken place time and again..but there is no resolve..for those who need to smoke..will..for those who are against it..will protest..movies will not stop it...clubs won't either..a lot of money/time/thoughts/energy would be just spent on discussing it for a while..till the heat dies down and resurfaces a few years later...
Its a dead topic ... I say you don't wanna smoke ..don't..a try and reforming the world & you'll you will burn out..
Remember..someone somewhere is already making a lot of money from just strirring these discussions..for all you know its the health ministry!
In all I agree with Kaps..publicity stunt through and through..
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