In a dramatic twist to the tale of Censor Board's disapproval on the telecast of Imtiaz Ali's Highway on Doordarshan, Alia Bhatt's grandmother Trudy Razdan has called up Senior Censor Board member Nandini Sardesai.
Trudy is not only perturbed that her granddaughter's superb performance might not reach the interiors of our country but also confused that why we should not educate ourselves about the danger signals of the two crimes which are increasing by the day- molestation and rape.
Highway depicts Alia as Veera who was sexually abused by her uncle at a very young age.
A source says, "The conversation lasted 15 minutes. Sardesai told Trudy that she had tried her best to clear Highway but Pahlaj Nihalani (Censor Chief) had other ideas."
When contacted, Sardesai told SpotboyE.com, "Yes, Trudy called me to talk on Highway. I understand her concerns and advocate that Highway should be screened on Doordarshan. In fact, I did my best at the Revising Committee to push the film.
I have told Trudy that the ball lies in Pahlaj's court now. I fail to understand that how he could hold Highway back despite the Revising Committee having voted for it in clear majority."
In an exclusive interview to SpotboyE.com on April 9, Alia had said: "Doordarshan has a family audience which is sensitive to a certain type of cinema. I definitely get that. But there's a side to me which believes that child sexual abuse does happen, and mind you, to not only girls but boys as well. There is a world out there which every child should know; it would only protect him/her. More often than not, children don't know what's happening with them when they are being abused (sexually). Educating them might just help. Let's get this straighter. Isn't this (child sexual abuse) the reason why every parent keeps telling his/her child that he/she should not talk to strangers? And the children keep asking why they should not. Shouldn't kids be provided answers?"
Sardesai says, "Alia is right. Highway is a film which teaches you a lot. Such creations of art should always be brought to the fore. There's no point in running away from reality. I am not saying that one film (Highway) will transform our society immediately- but why not make a beginning?"
Adds Sardesai, who is a teacher by profession, "I teach Sociology. I want all my students to understand why children should be wary of strangers. The age group which I deal with might be aware about sexual crimes, but our teachings help them to drive home the message on how every vulnerable target should safeguard his/her dignity. Such knowledge is never wasted. I interact with several bright youngsters who share this knowledge with the younger ones in their family."
Pushing the envelope, Sardesai says that Sajid Nadiadwala who produced Highway should speak up for his film. "Nadiadwala had made sufficient cuts in the film before submitting it to the Censor Board obtain a certificate which would enable him to screen it on Doordarshan. He did whatever he could-- but it is sad that the film was shot down on the pretext that it has an adult theme."
But isn't Pahlaj just going by the book- Cinematographic Act 1952? "Pahlaj is following something archaic. I am really not happy with his ban on cuss words in films. I deal with students; most youngsters of today use cuss words very frequently. Please note, I am not implying that cuss words are essential in films. I am simply saying that they can be retained in a film if they are being used in the right context to the situation in the story."
"And may I know what happened to those from the film fraternity who met up with the I & B Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore last month to express their grievances on film censorship? Why have they gone quiet?" Sardesai concludes, clenching her fist.
(Pic of Alia Bhatt by Rohan Shresta)
(Tune in to SpotboyE.com The Show on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 pm and Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 1 pm on 9XM)
Trudy is not only perturbed that her granddaughter's superb performance might not reach the interiors of our country but also confused that why we should not educate ourselves about the danger signals of the two crimes which are increasing by the day- molestation and rape.
Highway depicts Alia as Veera who was sexually abused by her uncle at a very young age.
A source says, "The conversation lasted 15 minutes. Sardesai told Trudy that she had tried her best to clear Highway but Pahlaj Nihalani (Censor Chief) had other ideas."
When contacted, Sardesai told SpotboyE.com, "Yes, Trudy called me to talk on Highway. I understand her concerns and advocate that Highway should be screened on Doordarshan. In fact, I did my best at the Revising Committee to push the film.
I have told Trudy that the ball lies in Pahlaj's court now. I fail to understand that how he could hold Highway back despite the Revising Committee having voted for it in clear majority."
In an exclusive interview to SpotboyE.com on April 9, Alia had said: "Doordarshan has a family audience which is sensitive to a certain type of cinema. I definitely get that. But there's a side to me which believes that child sexual abuse does happen, and mind you, to not only girls but boys as well. There is a world out there which every child should know; it would only protect him/her. More often than not, children don't know what's happening with them when they are being abused (sexually). Educating them might just help. Let's get this straighter. Isn't this (child sexual abuse) the reason why every parent keeps telling his/her child that he/she should not talk to strangers? And the children keep asking why they should not. Shouldn't kids be provided answers?"
Sardesai says, "Alia is right. Highway is a film which teaches you a lot. Such creations of art should always be brought to the fore. There's no point in running away from reality. I am not saying that one film (Highway) will transform our society immediately- but why not make a beginning?"
Adds Sardesai, who is a teacher by profession, "I teach Sociology. I want all my students to understand why children should be wary of strangers. The age group which I deal with might be aware about sexual crimes, but our teachings help them to drive home the message on how every vulnerable target should safeguard his/her dignity. Such knowledge is never wasted. I interact with several bright youngsters who share this knowledge with the younger ones in their family."
Pushing the envelope, Sardesai says that Sajid Nadiadwala who produced Highway should speak up for his film. "Nadiadwala had made sufficient cuts in the film before submitting it to the Censor Board obtain a certificate which would enable him to screen it on Doordarshan. He did whatever he could-- but it is sad that the film was shot down on the pretext that it has an adult theme."
But isn't Pahlaj just going by the book- Cinematographic Act 1952? "Pahlaj is following something archaic. I am really not happy with his ban on cuss words in films. I deal with students; most youngsters of today use cuss words very frequently. Please note, I am not implying that cuss words are essential in films. I am simply saying that they can be retained in a film if they are being used in the right context to the situation in the story."
"And may I know what happened to those from the film fraternity who met up with the I & B Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore last month to express their grievances on film censorship? Why have they gone quiet?" Sardesai concludes, clenching her fist.
(Pic of Alia Bhatt by Rohan Shresta)
(Tune in to SpotboyE.com The Show on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 pm and Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 1 pm on 9XM)