Veteran screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar criticized the double standards of film censorship in India during his speech at the Anantrang Mental Health Cultural Festival on Friday. He highlighted how films that reflect societal realities often encounter hurdles, while those promoting vulgarity and outdated values receive the green light.
“In this country, vulgarity will still be passed by the film boards. They don’t realize that these are wrong values — a male chauvinistic view that humiliates women. But what will not be passed is something that shows the mirror to society,” Akhtar stated, calling for a reevaluation of what constitutes acceptable film content.
Akhtar asserted that films essentially mirror societal conditions and cannot bear the brunt of society’s flaws. “A film is a window into society through which you peek. Closing the window will not fix what is happening outside,” he articulated, stressing the importance of acknowledging uncomfortable truths.
During his address, he touched upon the detrimental effects of hyper-masculinity as portrayed in films, particularly on men’s mental health. He explained that such themes gain traction because society endorses them. “If men’s mental health improves, such films won’t be made — and even if they are, they won’t work,” he elaborated, signaling the need for societal change.
Drawing an insightful parallel between cinema and worship, he remarked, “In show business, the audience is god. A bad audience makes a bad film successful.” This highlights the inherent power of audience choices in dictating film success and industry standards.
Akhtar expressed profound dissatisfaction with the burgeoning trend of vulgar and suggestive songs in modern cinema. He revealed that throughout his career, he has consistently refused to write such content. “During the 80s, many songs had double meanings, but I refused to write them,” he recounted with a tinge of disappointment. “I’m not sad that people recorded them — I’m sad that those songs became superhits. That shows it’s the audience that shapes the industry.”
He also referenced the controversial song ‘Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai’ to emphasize a decline in societal values. “If these are the values of society, what can you expect from films and songs? Society is responsible — cinema is only a manifestation,” he concluded strongly.
Despite his critiques, Akhtar lauded the recent film ‘Saiyaara’, directed by Mohit Suri and featuring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. He described its music as “refreshingly calm and soulful,” contrasting it with the current frenzied pace of popular music. “The music of Saiyaara has a stillness, an old charm. Today, music has become so frantic that percussion drowns the voice,” he observed, calling it a welcome respite.
Speaking philosophically on the role of sadness in art, Akhtar reflected on the cultural avoidance of melancholy. “It’s not good to deny sadness; otherwise, it will resurface elsewhere. Perhaps, the denial of sadness is unhealthy — accept it, cry if you must. That’s what keeps the mind healthy,” he advised, reminding fans of the necessity of emotional honesty.
