Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
While Indian-Americans are adamant that the ban on the BBC documentary “India’s Daughter” is unjustified, they are ambivalent about the banning of the Hollywood’s “50 Shades of Grey,” a film adaptation of the erotic novel. The controversial blockbuster was denied release in India last week, despite grossing nearing $500 million worldwide. According to a Reuters report, the ban comes despite producers having removed all scenes of nudity.
Although New York filmmarker Tirlok Malik feels banning any film is an extreme step, he gets why the India took the step of banning this one. A film like “50 Shades” will have severe consequences in India, he says, because the population should be mature enough to shoulder the responsibility of watching a sexual film.
Many Indian-Americans feel that in India a clear distinction between what is sexual and what is personal has not emerged, and hence the ban is justified. However, Manisha Beriwala of Hoboken, New Jersey, says instead of a complete ban, a distribution to metros, will ensure the right audiences have the choice to view it should they wish to. “I favor freedom of speech and freedom of art,” she says, adding that banning the film is extreme.
Ruta Kale of Portland, Oregon is indifferent about the ban. Kale said she couldn’t get herself to finish the first book, so opting to not watch the film was a no-brainer. “Apart from the fact it was not particularly well written, the overall portrayal of women that feeds into the clichéd and unnecessary image of strong powerful men vs. women who are submissive, irked me, as did the many rules he lays down and the overall sense of control,” she said.
Hypocritical Society
One of the main reasons the film is banned is the hypocritical and closed door attitude many Indians have about sex and sexuality. “In India most of the things of a sexual nature are hidden, and sex happens behind doors and with more animosity,” says Kale. If a movie belongs to a different genre, it should be approached in the same way as a normal film should, she says. Banning it might create more interest and curiosity, and might not target the right audience.
If nudity and sexual content are the main reason “50 Shades” is banned in India, New York based filmmaker and news anchor Joya Dass says, there are several Bollywood films like the Bipasha Basu starrer “Jism” or Imran Khan and Shehnaz Treasurywala starrer “Delhi Belly,” that served up enough of both. The ban seems hypocritical given that all these films/actors’ works have enjoyed wide release in India. “Folks don’t need to watch a movie like ‘50 Shades of Grey’ to commit deviant sexual acts,” she says.
