The I&B ministry has come out with the diktat to ban smoking in movies and on the silver screen. Rajnikanth fans ought to consider themselves lucky - it's anyone's guess why!
With already a blanket ban on alcohol ads on TV and media it might not be too pretentious to forsee the following list of do's and don'ts from I&B.
Circular No.mm/2008-TV-Mov.I, Government of India.
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To keep up with the spirit of freedom of speech and expression as guaranteed by the constitution of the largest democracy in the world, the government of India encourages Indian movies to venture out to international film festivals and vie for an Oscar.
- Women should wear only saris/salwar-kameez
Rationale: We can not have our culture polluted with skin flaunting rags
- Men should wear only dhotis or kurta-pyjama
Rationale: We can not be discriminatory - need to be politically correct gender wise
- Only water as a drink will be allowed on the screen
Corollary: coconut water, nimbu-pani, ganne-ka-ras (sugarcane juice), karela juice will be allowed as health boosting virtues. Alcohol is not.
- In action sequences, chases will allowed only in electric powered vehicles - to keep in check the rising oil prices.
Corollary: Vehicle chases will be eventually phased out to create public awareness about energy consumption
- No anti-govt. scenes and displays
Rationale: To prevent reservation like protests following from Rang De Basanti
Corollary 1: Every movie should have a politician hero or side-hero role - representation for the law making category.
Corollary 2: No politician role as a villain shall be allowed as it is a gross misrepresentation of all the facts and logic.
- Last but not the least. This list will be evaluated and more things added in each session of the parliament henceforth
Addendum:
A PIL against the above is pending in the Supreme Court with the next hearing date after 10 years. The supreme court has denied a stay on the order till the next hearing. Because the subject is adjudicate, there can be no protests in this regard.
By order
xxxx
Ministry of I & B
Government of India
Executive order nnnnnn
Circular No.mm/2008-TV-Mov.I