Will movies with subtitles help differently-abled masses?

Geeta, the deaf-mute Indian woman stranded in Pakistan and set to return to India on October 26, recently made headlines by revealing her desire for Salman Khan's recent hit 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' to be dubbed in sign language so that differently-challenged people like her could easily watch the movie.

While exclusively talking to ANI, the Pakistan-based NGO Edhi Foundation's Chairperson, Bilqif Banu, said that though Bhaijaan and Kareena Kapoor's movie did "Kamal" on screens and was portrayed in the best way, but if it was be dubbed in the sign language, then the deaf and mute would understand the songs and the message of the movie more easily.

Though Kabir Khan's recent direction did really well at the box office and was critically acclaimed for its outstanding story line, sometimes deaf and mute people find difficulty in understanding some of the dialogues in spite of their willingness to do so.

Agreeing to this, Indian deaf and mute NGO, Udaan's administrative head Sumit Sinha said if these types of movies are dubbed in sign language, then it will convey the message of the movie properly and will help many other challenged kids who might be stranded in other countries.

Sound of Silence co-founder Anisha Mukhija said that it was not necessary that every category of differently-abled people would benefit with the help of subtitles in movies as it completely depends on the person and his/her level of disability.

If possible, then dubbing will be undertaken by the help centre for persons with special needs being run in Tukoganj Indore police station, Indore.

In Bollywood industry famous films like 'Sholay' (1975), 'Gandhi' (1982), 'Munna Bhai MBBS' (2003) and 'Tare Zameen Par' (2007), had been dubbed into sign language.