Bollywood and smoking

On World No-tobacco Day by getting the very first country to exclude all smoking scenes in TELEVISION and films asia makes the report this past year. But because its story, the unfolding drama surrounding this new law is something like watching a film itself.Bollywood, probably the most respected film company on earth, features a long history of representing villains and heroes with cigarettes or hand-rolled "bidis" dangling from their lips. There's no denying the fact that on-screen smoking has a major impact on Indian youth and that a ban might protect the lives of millions of children who might be addicted to smoking under the influence of films. A 2003 World Health Organization survey estimated that India houses around 250 million tobacco users and that significantly more than 800,000 Indians die every year from smoking-related illnesses.The disagreements between your Health Ministry (which issued the ban) and Information & Broadcasting Ministry (which is entrusted to apply the ban) could defeat Saas-Bahu dramas. In addition, there is additional tart in the shape of the frustration and strong condemnation from the film industry with a great measure of statements from many involved, and court scenes, with filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt completing a PIL. Eventually today, the issue rests with the PMO to discover a suitable conclusion.Bollywood have firmly protested the Centre's decision to ban smoking moments in movies and on tv. Based on some of the makers, this is actually the film range, an entertainment company and they are not doing anything purposely. "We are simply playing a, painting a character smokeless cigarettes in stores. Suppose tomorrow, I do want to again make the movie "Devdas", he has to truly have the products. Tomorrow the minister may say you don't show him drinking; then how is it feasible? At least, they should have a talk with the picture industry," mentioned one producer.Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt recorded a in court seeking to quash the notification terming it as violation of the best to liberty of appearance and speech. Manager Shyam Benegal said the transfer would hinder creative expression. He feels the ban does not make this act and sense is convenient to build up a character.On another hand, some relate smoking ban with censorship. Actor director Amol Palekar feels that the current government ban on smoking on monitor amounts to censorship. "There are satisfactory regulations which govern marketing of other and cigarette tobacco products and services. But putting an overall total ban on showing smoking on the screen sums to censorship," he said in a special interview to The Afternoon After. "I have been opposed to censorship of any sort in film, theater or any other type of art. Censorship is not reasonable for art it self. It prevents free expression, which is vital for art."Stating that the ground on which the ban has been required is justified, Palekar states, however, that an overall total ban isn't the clear answer or way to control smoking. "The health conditions could be real. But if that is the case, there are many factors, which we must notice minutely. Going by the same standards, we will have to ban demonstrating drinking as well. Since, drinking is more harmful to health and it's a cultural evil", he says.The other part of concern is the enormous store of tv programs and previous films in most regional languages in which anti-smoking warnings must be introduced. The industry feels that clearing such an enormous backlog is almost impossible.But the greater emotion is that the bar goes against innovative certificate, especially given that smoking displays on Indian screen have substantially reduced in the existing politically right age.The Indian film industry is reported to be the largest in the world and provides over 900 films annually. These videos touch the lives of over 250 million people in India and produce demi-gods out of stars.In trying to become more like these celebrities, they copy the style of the onscreen figures and that always contains smoking and drinking to express a "cool" picture. The hottest screen minute of Rajnikanth tossing it into his mouth and flipping his cigarette has been replicated by many a teen.Meanwhile, the deadline of implementation of the ban was extended twice. Both the ministries have so far didn't achieve the agreement, and the PIL continues in the court. The Health Ministry has contacted the Prime Minister's office to intervene and resolve the matter.According to sources, this issue has become very painful and sensitive, as the Health Ministry has taken it down as a status issue. On the other hand, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry - despite finding it hard to implement the ban - can not strike it down completely.While the Health Ministry has been supporting a whole ban on smoking in movies and tv, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has been searching for methods to implement the ban in a milder form with numerous exemptions.A little helping hand from government was had a need to solve the issue. They ought to did something tangible by reaching a consensus between all the divisions and film industry, and studying the feasibility of its implementation, before prematurely issuing directives on the same.The fact remains that production or selling of tobacco products isn't barred, and these are freely offered at any nook and corner of the nation. It, for that reason, nullifies the discussion that smoking ban on films and TV could reduce smoking. Also, if the youth could possibly get inspired by films and their characters, think about excluding killings, rapes, robberies, infidelity, obscenity, alcoholism, event teasing from films also?