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TANDAV BOWS DOWN: CENSORSHIP IS THE WAY FORWARD FOR OTT?
Censorship: this word, of late, has been creating headlines. First, it was films, now, it seems to be OTT content as well. The latest instance is Tandav, the web show starring Saif Ali Khan in the lead and set against the backdrop of Indian politics. One scene that drew ire shows actor Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub playing a modern-day Lord Shiva in a college play. Netizens have alleged it hurts religious sentiments. Another scene involves characters played by Anuup Sonii and Sandhya Mridul, talking about caste. The outrage forced the makers to issue a statement, agreeing to “implement changes”. Does this point towards censorship being the way forward for OTT?
Actor-filmmaker Renuka Shahane, who directed the film Tribhanga recently, is against censorship, but says, “You can’t curtail any kind of outrage that happens these days. But I have to say that as makers...one should not put out anything that hurts anybody’s religious sentiments.”
In the recent past, shows such as A
With two web series last year — Wakaalat from Home (WFH) and Dark 7 White (D7W) — actor Sumeet Vyas says 2020 was kinder to him than it was to most people. “I feel grateful that I was able to work in a year that was difficult for many. We shot WFH at home, while D7W was shot after lockdown was eased. The latter allowed me to play a dark role, unlike what I had played before. It was humbling to be considered for a role like this, as actors don’t often get to break the mould,” he shares.
However, he reveals he wants to slow down a bit now. “Actors are freelancers, and there’s always a fear that if we reject projects, others may not be offered to us. So, you end up taking work without strategising… But this year, I want to do roles that appeal to me and not just for bread and butter. Hopefully, the appealing work will pay as well (laughs). Most often roles that you love don’t pay and work that you don’t think about much pays your bills. Some projects you do for love and some for money. Also, it is not that you pick bad projects. But after shooting for a bit, most actors get an inkling that it isn’t turning out the way they thought it would and vice versa,” he explains.
While the entertainment space continues to bear the brunt of Covid-19, Vyas strives to focus on the positive side — the boom in OTT projects. “OTT
Suitable Boy and Ashram too have been accused of hurting sentiments. Vani Tripathi Tikoo, Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) member, says she has often argued that the lens of film certification should not be used for OTT. “Theatre viewing is a collective exercise, and watching OTT more personalised. But in Covid-19 times, families have been sitting and watching them together,” she says.
Adding while we shouldn’t be censoring, she says, “Some countries have a code and industry standard for digital content. You can’t dissociate from that responsibility in a hyper sensitive democracy like India.”
Telling the story in the right way is what people are emphasising on. Joining the list is Apurva Asrani, who’s written films such as Aligarh (2015), Shahid (2013) and the latest season of the web show Criminal Justice. He says, “In a democracy, you should be able to tell your story. Someone with another point of view has the right to counter that with a story told in a similar format.”
Pritish Nandy, producer of the show Four More Shots Please! says when the has given audiences some very good stories. It doesn’t matter how popular your project is or how well it is promoted, if it’s a genuinely different story, it will get the attention… Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, which was a well-made show, got all the attention last year,” he says. state backs a point of view, generally “most people fall in line”. He elaborates, “It does not mean what they are doing is right, it means people do not want to face the consequences of taking on the might of the state. If India wants to compete in that challenging, creative space, it must learn to do with minimal censorship.”
Shreya Mukherjee
Having started prep for Aditya Dhar’s The Immortal Ashwatthama, Vicky Kaushal is raring to be back on set. While shooting a superhero film won’t be an easy task amid the pandemic, the actor says he is mentally prepared to take the plunge.
“This is my first superhero film… Shooting in this new normal comes with its own set of challenges; you’ve to test every single person, quarantine everybody, put them in biobubbles. Basically, there are several Covid protocols to follow, and everybody needs to be cautious,” he says.
Addressing this huge responsibility on the production team, the actor is hopeful that, with the vaccination drive, things will only get better. “Ultimately, the responsibility falls on [the production team] to make it
NOTE TO READERS: Some of the coverage that appears on our pages is paid for by the concerned brands. No sponsored content does or shall appear in any part of HT without it being declared as such to our valued readers. happen without any trouble. And that isn’t an easy job. But I think everybody is getting accustomed to it, trying their best to adapt. I hope by the time we start Ashwatthama, the pandemic will be much in control,” adds the actor, whose next release is a biopic on freedom fighter Sardar Udham Singh, helmed by Shoojit Sircar. His other projects include a big banner film and Meghna Gulzar’s Sam Manekshaw.
Sircar has spoken about releasing the biopic in theatres amid speculations that the film might have a direct-to-OTT release. Asked whether he prefers his films to release in theatres or on OTT platforms, Kaushal says it all depends on the project. “When it comes to theatre vs OTT, I think some films are made for the cinematic and community viewing experience, and there are others that are flexible in terms of mode of consumption. The year 2020 wasn’t much about choice. It was about the logistics of a film on the production level, depending on finances involved, etc. So eventually, it’s the producer’s prerogative and I’ll be happy with the decision they take,” he states.
Last year, apart from the release of Bhoot: Part One - The Haunted Ship, Kaushal had shot for Sardar Udham Singh. It may seem he is doing things at his own pace, while some of his contemporaries are doing one project after another, the actor says his competition is only with himself. “I think we should focus on how to become a better version of ourselves. That’s what my aim is with every project. I just want to do better than my last work, keep learning with every project. I believe competition and comparison aren’t in my hand, these are audiences’ prerogative. I’m trying to do good work and present it to the audience. So, if something isn’t in my control, I don’t take stress about it,” he concludes.
isn’t right to Industry insiders feel it censor digital content, add makers must avoid hurting sentiments
There’s always a fear that if we reject projects, others may not be offered to us. SUMEET VYAS,
Vicky Kaushal’s take on shooting amid pandemic, film releases and more
Producers of Akshay Kumarstarrer Bell Bottomare exploring adirect-to-OTT release, while Ayushmann Khurrana has put a‘noOTT’ clause for his next, Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, said reports.