Chennai: Violence, obscenity and vulgarity in certain sections of cinema is a matter of concern and there is a need for self-censorship by film makers, Union information and broadcasting minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said on Sunday while promising tinsel town a solution for curbing video piracy of films.
Addressing a felicitation programme organised by the South India Film Industry for his taking over as I&B minister, Mr Naidu made a strong pitch for promoting “family values” and “Indian culture” in cinema. “Message that comes out of cinema should be constructive, development-oriented and progressive. Indian movies should promote the great Indian culture and also the family values for which the country has been quite popular. Our films need to speak about our culture,” he said.
Movies carrying a good message to society can also be commercially successful and some questionable trends have emerged in cinema these days, Mr Naidu said, adding that “violence, obscenity and vulgarity in cinema bothers many people”. Responding to a suggestion by producer Kalaipuli S. Thanu, whose firm has produced Superstar Rajinikant’s to-be released Kabali, Mr Naidu said the Union government was keen on finding a solution to piracy. “We (Centre) will take all efforts to address the problems of the film industry. I know video piracy is a major concern of the film industry and we will address it for sure,” he said, adding that his ministry will explore ways and means to bring changes in certification rules for cinema.
Mr Thanu sought Centre’s intervention in curbing piracy and banning ISPs that release movies online. He had recently moved the Madras High Court seeking a ban on ISPs that allow downloading of movies.
