Ok what's this critic's problem? If you dont like the trailer that's fine. But what's up with the degrading comments towards akki and especially kareena? He's so rude to her! And he's even being rude towards Sharmila.
Kambhakt ways of film censorship
'You girls are good only for one thing.'
– quote, unquote Akshay Kumar, in the theatrical promo of Kambakht Ishq
A film trailer is a trailer. And the completed film, that is released, is another story altogether. Elementary logic dictates that the trailer and the film should be certified separately by the censors. And thank the lord, that's the way it is done.
At the very outset, let me make it clear that I am writing this – not to make a case for the need of censorship at all. Far from it. I am writing this simply to point out the absurd and impenetrable manner in which the film censor worthies execute the responsibility and powers assigned to them.
At the top of the Central Board of Film Certification iceberg, count the current chairperson Sharmila Tagore, who given her awesome Satyajit Ray credentials, can presumably tell the difference between a David Dhawan and a Kieslowski. And then there are the regional officers who, by bureaucracy norms are not meant to get themselves any semblance of media publicity.
But of late officer Vinayak Azad could well become the next-most-quoted individual next to the Mahesh Bhatt of yore. Let's just hope that he doesn't have glamorous photo-session pix to give the journos to accompany his quotes.
Strangely, though, he was ureachable on Saturday-Sunday as some of us sought to register protests against the use of that extremely offensive line of dialogue in the Kambakht Ishq trailer.
As for Ms Tagore, I believe, has told a TV channel that she found nothing offensive about the line.
To each his or her own. The issue here is that those who feel strongly about the representation of women in the media, do feel offended. Not much can be said of Ms Tagore in this sphere. Because Ms Tagore has always appeared to reside in an ivory tower. Has she ever sought the opinions of the masses and the mandarins about where film censorship is going? Tcah, where's there time?
By the way, the film censor chairperson's appointment is believed to be largely because of 'political' patronage. It will be interesting to see what happens to her chair after the results of the forthcoming general elections.
Those connected with Kambakht Ishq have argued that the dialogue with a bias against women has to be considered in the context of the entire picture. Now what about those who just see the trailer and don't want to see the rest of Kambakht Ishq at all? And what about the fact that this line of dialogue – an eve teaser's delight – is being used as a promotional device?
It cannot be blared, in isolation, over television, radio or imprinted on posters and hoardings. It cannot be argued, "Hey guys, see the rest of the film and you'll know why we were degrading women." The damage, dear guys, has already been done by then.
This is what we have come to in the name of popular entertainment – and that too at a time when cases of rapes, incest and assorted male bestiality have become everyday news. Women groups, critics of some conscience, and filmmakers of sinew and substance have devoted their lives and careers to working in their own little ways towards woman empowerment and equality.
Autorickshaws and railway train compartments are stamped with messages about woman shakti. But no, someone in Bollywood believes that all this is a joke. Funny?
If girls/women are good only for one thing, then ostensibly those involved with Kambakht Ishq are only good for one thing – making money, money, money till they don't know what to do it.
Now, I'm told that the film's story is about Akshay Kumar who's a male chauvinistic pig (so, what's new?)..and it's about Kareena Kapoor who's a supermodel (from which angle, pray?).
Supermodel makes him mend his ways (a Taming of the Shrew in reverse, ho hum). Whatever the final outcome may be, that doesn't given producer Sajid Nadiadwala the licence to blare out a reprehensible line of dialogue before his ostensibly 'wonderful' product arrives.
This entire machismo harum scarum also brings down Akshay Kumar further in my estimation ever since he asked a woman in a supermarket – in Heyy Baby — about where he could get 'milk' for his baby. Inuendo intended.
Obviously, Akshay Kumar believes that such lines of dialogue won't affect his popularity with the ladies. Believe me, it will, it will, the audience isn't moronic, Mr Kumar. And to think just a few years ago, he didn't want to mouth anti-Pakistan line of dialogue in a potboiler because that would affect his fan following overseas. Oh well.
Also, what the hell is Kareena Kapoor upto? She isn't likely to be remembered among actresses who had a sensible head on her shoulders. Being in the top league of actresses is all that matters, never mind the rank vile kind of stuff that she is made to do – be it a bikinied airhead in Tashan or now a supermodel whose pout is third-rate copy of Urmila Matondkar's. Sorry babes, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone and Genelia D'Souza have an edge. Tsk.
It was just a trailer, you might say. Chill. Sorry but the lusty manner in which the 'only good for one thing' was applauded by the male section of the audience at Bombay's Apsara cinema, had to be heard to be believed.
Ms Sharmila Tagore should step out of her ivory-tower-like censor office on Walkeshwar, and see what kind of an impact, a clearly chauvinistic piece of dialogue can have on a sizeable part of the audience.
Incidentally, I was told that the trailer has an A certificate..but it was shown before the screening of Aa Dekhen Zara which has an UA certificate. So, what's going on?
The answer my friends, like always, is blowin' in the wind.
http://passionforcinema.com/kambhakt-ways-of-film-censorship/
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