When I was in college, in the late 1990s, I remember distinctly discussing the amount of sex and violence in Hollywood movies. Today, I see that violence in Tamil movies is as bad and has even surpassed Hollywood. Worse still, most of it is unwarranted and at times, I’m inclined to think there is a competition out there as to who can make the goriest scene.
Now, this is not a good trend by itself. However, what I find even more appalling is that such movies are not certified appropriately by the Censor Board. Moreover, neither parents nor cinema halls take the onus to be responsible for not letting children watch these movies.
As I was speaking to a parent a few days back, I was horrified to hear that it is important that children acquire world knowledge through such violence in Tamil movies. I simply don’t understand why a child should know about the politics in a juvenile prison and also watch two young children unfairly hung to death. Is this “world knowledge”? Is this knowledge necessary for a child to survive in this world?
The above-mentioned scene is from Master, which got a U/A certificate from the Indian Censor Board. In other words, children can watch it under parental guidance. However, BBFC thinks that it contains strong violence and drug misuse.
Similarly, Jailer, an “action comedy film” as per Wikipedia got a U/A rating from the Indian censor board. However, it got an A rating on Amazon Prime. Almost every child in Tamil Nadu watched this movie because of the “Rajini” factor.
After much reflection, I have an appeal to filmmakers, actors, the censor board, cinema halls and parents.
Firstly, I request the filmmakers and actors, especially the celebrities with a huge fan-following, to understand that apart from earning your living through movies, you carry a huge responsibility towards the people and young children. Young ones idolise on you and watch your every movie. Please cut down on the violence that is portrayed on screen. Certain points can be made without showing them visually and without the bloodshed or the gory details. You’re responsible for shaping the future!
Next, an appeal to the censor board to not be lenient with respect to violence in Tamil movies: Can you please be more strict? We do not want our children to lose their inherent kindness. A child who is scared to watch these bloody scenes in his/her initial years gradually gets used to them and eventually starts enjoying them too. Can you please help those parents who want to be responsible by providing accurate ratings?
Seriously, can the cinema halls also start implementing some restrictions? If you can sell popcorn in buckets, so can you have a childcare facility where the parents can leave their children when they enter the movie halls.
Finally, my dear parents! Please do not justify your wish to watch the violence in Tamil movies, your lack of responsibility and your inability to find a babysitter, as a child’s need for world knowledge. How often have you watched someone being shot in real life? Or watched someone being slain? It is definitely not required for a child. There are more immediate things that can qualify as world knowledge and your child can spend his/her time on one of those.
As a parent, it is extremely painful to watch these movies and how they’re influencing our society’s future. I dream of a world where our children are protected from such movies and the irresponsible society in which they grow up. I hope they are nurtured in a world, where their inherent kindness is preserved so as to build a future society filled with compassion and humanity.
(Photo by Alejo Reinoso on Unsplash)
