There is no subjectivity in the guidelines about on-screen smoking: Milan Luthria

Interview with director of The Dirty Picture and Once Upon Ay Time

Celebrated filmmaker Woody Allen decided against bringing his latest work Blue Jasmine to India because he was uncomfortable with disclaimers that would have to be added to scenes showing smoking. Milan Luthria, director of The Dirty Picture and Once Upon Ay Time in Mumbaai, shares his views with Ranjita Ganesan on anti-smoking guidelines, creative vision and film certification.

What do you think of Woody Allen's decision?
It is interesting what he has done. He has voiced what filmmakers here have not been able to say. Of course, it is to his advantage that India is a much smaller market compared to the rest of his business. His decision may sound finicky but it is justified.

Do you agree with Allen's sentiment that disclaimers interfere with a film's content?

There is a body that has been putting a warning before and during the film as well as in the interval and over a period, those drastic images have made some impact. People have got the message. But for the medium of cinema, there needs to be a review. A filmmaker works very hard to get the audience drawn to the frame and the object in the scene. He wants minimum distraction so viewers can focus on the world he's creating for them. The ads do hamper the content. But we have taken it with a pinch of salt here because we don't know what else can be done.

What do the present censor board guidelines state about on-screen smoking or drinking?
The guidelines are very strict about not showing labels on alcohol bottles. Even if there is a flash of smoking, the film does not get a U certification. The minimum would be U/A. I think this is a very black-and-white approach. There is no subjectivity. I can understand if the character smokes throughout the film, then you're right in saying it could affect children. Certification should be done keeping in view the overall theme of the film and the filmmaker's intention. Sometimes you find films that have sexual innuendo or double meaning but they get away with it because those guidelines are vague.

Have you had to compromise on your content because of the guidelines?
Yes, sometimes when shooting an important scene with a character that smokes, we have discussed it on set and said 'we better not' because that blurb will keep appearing. But nowadays, even the audience has got used to the blurb and they don't get too caught up reading it.

What do you think of the anti-smoking ads? Are they effective? ?
If you look at the western world, in America or Europe, there is social awareness and it is left at that. It is not slapped in the face. Smoking has been around for long but people are more aware and conscious now. We often find youngsters (in India) sniggering in the cinema hall during the ads. People who are making the ads should respect the IQ of the people and not spoon-feed them.

Have you conveyed concerns about the guidelines to the censor board?
Anyone we ask says, 'We have been told to implement this.' There is no conversation between us and the people who are really behind the decision.

Will Woody Allen's reaction affect India's image as a consumer or maker of films?
It has always been that way. A case in point is films with adult or horror content those have either been banned or faced savage cuts here. But every country has different guidelines. UK, for instance comes down heavily on violence so when our films go there, we have similar problems. In Woody Allen's case, authorities should think about what he has said. He is a much renowned, tasteful filmmaker.

Is there a better way to go about creating awareness? What do you suggest?
The government wants to put across a certain message but we are the ones making the films. I think they should have a dialogue with experienced directors and discuss how best to do it. Perhaps, we could have a big movie star like Amitabh Bachchan tell the youth that actors have to smoke sometimes on screen but they don't endorse it and it is a bad habit. That would be more pleasant.