Article: Saas-bahu serials to be censored

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Does TV serials actually require this kind of certification (TOI Photo)

As if the stringent measures adopted by the Censor Board or the various bans imposed on movies or songs by the I&B Ministry were not enough, the government is all set to regulate content on the idiot box too.

With all the saas-bahu sagas to be stamped with a U, U/A and A certificate and an S certificate for serials made for doctors or engineers, the good ol' telly is in for a revamp of sorts. But while this is to improve content on the small screen, we debate on whether TV serials actually require this kind of certification and how far would it help in checking the content.

"Of course it would. And it is indeed required," states Praveen Kumar, director, broadcasting content, who speaks on behalf of the I&B ministry, adding "With so many channels coming up with serials showing inappropriate content that's not necessarily meant for kids, such a check is required. In fact not only certification serials, according to the content they carry will be divided in various time slots." All right, but is that not coming down a bit too hard on the small screen? "No, that's our job. It is just to maintain the standard of the small screen," says Kumar.

But while the ministry has its own reasons for implementing this rule, TV actors and directors are divided on the implications it would have.

And TV actor and producer Jamna Das Majethia, who has given serials like Khichadi, and Ba Bahu aur Baby, is all for the idea. "It's the right approach. And anyway it's high time that directors and producers got more careful about what they show on their serials. Besides, you can't always stop kids from watching TV. In such a case, various time slots to classify TV serials would indeed help in checking what kids get to watch," says Majethia.

Agrees actor Pallavi Joshi, who feels it should have come in place a long time back. "But this rule would be more suitable for serials that are made on the lines of Desperate Housewives or the Bold and Beautiful. Slotting them in time would be a good check on the directors and producers making these kinds of shows. But I feel, you can't say the same for the family dramas produced by our directors as they don't always carry objectionable content."

But Tony Singh, producer, who has given serials like Banegi Apni Baat and Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahi, feels it's nothing more than a futile effort. "I really don't think TV requires such kind of check. Also, with TV mostly full of comedy shows and family dramas, which have least scope of objectionable stuff, this rule seems useless. Besides, I don't think you can call any daily soap obscene either."

Vineeta Nanda, producer of hit shows like Taara, feels the same. "I don't think this rule wil be able to work. It sounds more useless than the purpose it's required to fulfil," she says.