Ban on Obscene Content is a Right Move: M.S Raju Backs OTT Crackdown

Seasoned producer M.S. Raju welcomed the move, saying, “Pornography has become rampant in digital space and it needs to be curtailed.” He further remarked, “Three decades ago, blue films were shown in shady parlours and people used to flee at the sound of police sirens. But now it’s come right into your phone and laptop. That must be stopped.”

Among the blocked platforms are some widely known names, including ALTT, the OTT arm of Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms, and Ullu — both of which have courted controversy for their adult-themed content (However, Ekta Kapoor clarified that she is no longer associated with ALTT). Following the ban, Balaji Telefilms' shares took a sharp hit on the stock markets. “I don’t want to name names, but obscenity has grown by leaps and bounds. Some OTT apps have become bolder and ride on sleaze and cuss words. Above all, the apps became easily accessible to the younger generation, and that can damage their minds,” Raju added.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the ban was imposed after extensive consultations with the Ministries of Home Affairs, Women and Child Development, Electronics and IT, the Department of Legal Affairs, and key industry bodies like FICCI and CII. “Children aged between 8 and 14 are the future of India. They must grow up in a healthy atmosphere — not be exposed to such content too early. Yes, sex is a natural part of life, but you can’t make films on it every other day and corrupt young minds,” he emphasized.

Other lesser-known platforms that were blocked include: Big Shots, Desiflix, Boomex, NeonX VIP, Navarasa Lite, MoodX, ShowX, Hitprime, Feneo, ShowHit, Look Entertainment, Jalva, and Mojflix, among others. “The porn industry has always existed in the dark, but in recent years, it was inching toward mainstream acceptance. That cannot be justified. Today, most parents are working and often just hand over a mobile or tablet to their children to keep them occupied — which only worsens gadget addiction,” Raju said.

M.S. Raju also pointed out that films relying on steamy scenes and lip-locks have largely flopped indicating a shift in audience preference. “Good content is what works today. The success of films like Saiyyaara and Court proves that viewers prefer decent stories with well-etched characters.”