Audio descriptions in films will help blind enjoy cinema: NGO

There is a need to incorporate disabled-friendly audio descriptions in mainstream film production, so that visually challenged as well as blind film buffs can enjoy cinema like regular cine-goers, Rummi Seth, founder trustee of Delhi-based NGO Saksham, said on Thursday.

Saksham has already completed providing audio description to 22 films including "Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.", "Taare Zameen Par" and "3 Idiots"', and three such films with the audio description facility are being screened at the ongoing 47th International Film Festival of India here.

"If our commercial films come with audio description, it will enable the visually impaired or the blind to experience and enjoy films in cinema halls just like regular film fans," Seth told reporters on the sidelines of the festival.

Seth explained that 'audio description' is actually an audio commentary, embedded into the film, which allows people with disabilities and the blind to watch a film, because it provides a narration of events unfolding on screen, during the non-dialogue portions of the movie.

"We have spoken to some film producers who have worked with us. The cost of creating an audio description is minuscule compared to film budgets. What needs to be done is that embedding of the description should be incorporated at the production stage itself," she said.

--IANS

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