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Quirky Censor Board confuses Tamil movie makers

PUBLISHED DATE : 18/Jun/2012

Quirky Censor Board confuses Tamil movie makers

Censor Quirky Rules confuses Tamil movie makers

(Article originally published on Jan 28, 2012)

Censor rules have been revised and Agneepath is one of the first movies to be released after the revisions. As per the current censor rules, movies having drinking or smoking scenes will not be able to get U certificates without rolling warnings. Without U certificate, the Tamil movies cannot get 30% tax waiver (this rule applies only in Tamil Nadu). 

 

What the Diwali and pongal movies have proved is without the 30% entertainment tax waiver, it is difficult for big budget Tamil movies to ever make profits. So, it is all the more important to get U certificate without making the movie look like it is made for kindergarten kids. The directors and producers are extremely confused by how to make movies these days because an unexpected interpretation by censor officials of an important shot may result in substantial money loss.

 

When enquired, here are some quirky censor rules that were quoted by one of the confused movie makers who is running from post to pillar for getting no objection certificate from Railway department,


  • Censor rules vary by gender. While it is allowed for men to drink alcohol, women are strictly not allowed to even touch drinks. 

  • Censor rules vary by officials based on whoever is part of the review panel. There are specifically two panelists who orders putting "digital kolam" on cleavage shots.

  • Even though TASMAC is one of the Govenment departments, it is strictly not allowed to show TASMAC board on screen. 

  • If a train is shown in any scene in the background, the producer should get a no-objection ceritificate from Railway department.

  • No street dogs or cows should be shown on any scenes in the background.  If the censor board spots one, Producers will have to produce permit/approval from Animal Welfare board.

  • Censor rules vary by region - Even though censor rules are supposed to apply equally across all India, how each state executes it are like chalk and cheese.
  • Both Vettai and Nanban had lip-lock scenes. It was a surprise how both movies got U certificates.

  • Ever since Tamil heroes made omelettes and played 'bambaram' on bellies, it is a taboo showing belly on screen. During the last few years, any scenes showing bellies would automatically result in U/A certificate. Now, it is a mystery how a song in Nanban with 48 bolly-imported bellies got a clean U certificate.

     

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