Vikram Bhatt says filmmakers should operate within cultural framework of country: We don't have to be another country, we are India
Mumbai, June 30
Director Vikram Bhatt has said filmmakers need to respect the culture and belief of a country where they work.
Vikram spoke with IANS during the promotions of his recently released film 'Haunted 3D'. He said that every country has its own cultural framework, and filmmakers need to be mindful of that.
He said that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is largely liberal in granting certificates to the films.
He told IANS, "You are allowed some cuss words, you are not allowed some cuss words. Some kind of nudity is acceptable. Some kind of nudity is not acceptable. And that has not changed. And that's fair. I mean, every country has its own culture, its own beliefs. And we should keep them. We shouldn't have to be another country. We should be India. And if India has certain principles of public entertainment, then we should maintain them. They are not stringent anymore. You have lots more liberty to do what you want. They are allowing films with so much blood and gore. So much violence is being allowed".
He further mentioned, "So then I think comes a sense of self-censorship. How much can I push this? What can I show? And that perhaps is where we are now. So, I mean, except for films that are of a political nature and are made to incite a kind of political unrest, you are pretty much okay to make any film in this country".
Meanwhile, 'Haunted 3D' stars Mimoh Chakraborty, Chetna Pande, Shruti Prakash, Gaurav Bajpai, Praneet Bhatt and Hemant Pandey. The film promises an upgraded 3D experience using the newest technology to heighten every scare, making the horror more immersive. The film is currently playing in cinemas.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone who grew up in the US and now lives here, I think Vikram makes a fair point. Every country has its own cultural sensitivities. What's acceptable in one place might not be in another. The key is balance - let filmmakers experiment but within the boundaries that society has set. Makes sense!
Vikram Bhatt is spot on about self-censorship. The real issue isn't the CBFC being strict, but filmmakers not having their own filter. If you want to make art, make art - but don't hide behind "creative freedom" to push things that are obviously against our cultural ethos. We're India, not some European nation. 🇮🇳
I appreciate Vikram's balanced take. He's not saying censorship is perfect, just that it's part of every society. Look at some European films - they'd never pass here and that's okay. But I do wish the CBFC was more transparent and less arbitrary sometimes. Still, good to see a filmmaker who respects both art AND culture.
Ha! Easy for him to say, he makes horror films. What about filmmakers who want to address political issues or social taboos? The point about "political unrest" seems like a cop-out. Self-censorship is fine, but when it comes from fear of government backlash, that's not voluntary. I want more nuance in this debate.
Love his perspective! We're so desperate for validation from the West that we forget our own identity. Cinema is powerful, and with that power comes responsibility. If you want to make explicit content, there are OTT
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