Broadcasting panel scoffs at South Indian movies

BCCC says films are too violent and show women in poor light

The Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) has taken serious note of the production of movies from South India which show “extreme violence” and portray women in “poor light”.

The council has suggested that there should be some collaboration mechanism between it and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to regulate such contents.

“A lot of violence is shown in movies produced in southern Indian languages. There should be some coordination between the CBFC and BCCC (to regulate such contents).

Audience needs to watch good movies,” chairman of the Council Justice A P Shah said, adding that a large number of complaints relating to airing of such movies on television were received by the BCCC.

The council is a self regulatory body for non-news channels, set up by the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) in consultation with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

“Some of the complaints related to movies are serious. We do not have mandate. It is the CBFC which can deal with the issue. We forward such complaints to it,” Shah said, stressing on the need to create a collaborative mechanism between BCCC and CBFC to deal with such cases.

According to sources, the BCCC has received a large number of complaints about television telecasting movies with extremely violent contents produced in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada languages from southern India.

Telugu main culprit

“It is matter of big concern for the BCCC. The highest number of such complaints has been received by the BCCC against movies made in Telugu language,” sources added.

There are also complaints about movies made in southern languages showing women in poor light.

“There are some movies in which women were shown being assaulted sexually. This is a very serious and major area of concern for the BCCC. The Council summons those concerned during hearing of the trial. They come and say sorry but still such movies are being produced,” sources said.

Concerned over the production of such movies, the Council is now planning to organise an interactive session with film fraternity in Chennai in next three-four months to sensitise them.

The council is also considering engaging experts in the southern languages to monitor the contents of movies made from south India, sources added.

The BCCC has also suggested the government to bring amendments in the guidelines for uplinking of television channels that stipulate non-renewal of the license of the broadcasters after five consecutive violations by them. It termed the guidelines “unconstitutional”.

Among its recommendations, the council has sought that there should be gradation of violations, ranging from “mild to severe”. 

“Fines should be substantial in case of serious violations. Suspension and revocation of licence must be resorted to in exceptional circumstances, and only in cases of repeated and extremely severe violations,” the council has sought in its recommendation to the I&B Ministry.