Hindustan Times (Ranchi) - Hindustan Times (Ranchi) - Live
‘Web is a threat to cinema, and it’s the present, not the future’
Riding high on the wave of back-to-back successes — Andhadhun and Badhaai Ho — actor Ayushmann Khurrana doesn’t want to limit himself to just films. Asked if he’s willing to experiment with the web, too, he says that he’s all for it, especially if he gets to “do something radical”.
The actor says, “All digital platforms are great, and the web isn’t the future, it’s the present, if given a chance. The censorship is lenient here, so you can go radical and crazy, so why not? I’ll do (a web show) if I get an opportunity to rediscover myself in a totally different character.”
Recently, a division bench of Bombay High Court had issued a notice to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. This followed a PIL that sought regulation of web series or other streaming content, and demanded a pre-screening committee for all such content.
What does Ayushmann feel about such censorship? “There will be no difference (between web and films) then. That’s a great bane, and that shouldn’t happen with the web. It’s a great competition to cinema right now, because there’s no censorship and that’s why it is a threat. If censorship does happen on the web, then there won’t be any threat to cinema,” he says. However, he adds, “I’m open to anything. It’s not as if I’m just a flag-bearer of theatres being houseful. Any type of creative field should be explored and open to people.”
Apart from this, Bollywood has been going through a drastic change, owing to the #MeToo movement, which has outed alleged sexual predators, giving more women courage to speak up. Eleven female filmmakers, including Konkona Sen Sharma, Nandita Das and Zoya Akhtar, have joined hands to support those who are speaking out. Film directors such as Subhash Kapoor and Vikas Bhal have been ousted from projects following allegations.
On the impact of all this, in particular on movie budgets, Ayushmann says, “It won’t affect (the commerce) at all, as there’s no dearth of talent. It only depends on good scripts and talented people coming together. Sexual offenders shouldn’t be tolerated, not just in our industry, but any industry. (#MeToo) will cleanse all institutions; it’s a step forward. Having said that, equal opportunity should be given to both parties to present their stand...”