Veteran screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar has sharply criticized the censorship norms of film regulatory bodies in India. Speaking at the inaugural session of the Anantrang Mental Health Cultural Festival on Friday, he highlighted how films reflecting societal realities often hit roadblocks, while those filled with vulgarity gain an easier pass.
Akhtar articulated, “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.” He condemned this double standard, questioning why films that serve as a mirror to society face such scrutiny.
“A film is a window into society through which you peek. Closing the window will not fix what is happening outside,” he asserted, emphasizing the role of cinema as a reflection of societal values.
Focusing on the influence of hyper-masculinity in films, Akhtar shared his insights on how such portrayals not only thrive due to audience approval but also impact men’s mental health. “It is because of the mental health of men that such films are being made. If men’s mental health improves, such films won’t be made — and even if they are, they won’t work,” he highlighted.
Paralleling the film industry to a faith-based environment, Akhtar noted, “In show business, the audience is god. A bad audience makes a bad film successful.” This observation underscores the critical role viewers play in shaping the cinematic landscape.
On the topic of vulgar songs, Akhtar voiced his disappointment regarding their prevalence and popularity. He recounted how he consistently turned down offers to write such songs throughout his career. “During the 80s, many songs had double meanings, but I refused to write them. 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 lamented.
Referencing the iconic yet controversial song ‘Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai’, Akhtar expressed concern over societal values reflected in music. “If these are the values of society, what can you expect from films and songs? Society is responsible — cinema is only a manifestation,” he stressed, pointing towards a troubling trend in cultural acceptance.
Despite his criticisms, Akhtar took a moment to praise the recent film ‘Saiyaara’, directed by Mohit Suri and featuring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. He lauded the film’s music for its calming and soulful quality, stating, “The music of Saiyaara has a stillness, an old charm. Today, music has become so frantic that percussion drowns the voice. When something soothing comes, it feels like shade in harsh sunlight.”
Addressing the topic of sadness in art, Akhtar offered a philosophical perspective. When asked whether listening to sad songs can contribute to depression, he responded, “It’s not good to deny sadness; otherwise, it will resurface elsewhere. Earlier, every film had one or two sad songs, but now they’ve vanished because we believe ‘achhe din aa gaye hain’. This denial of sadness is unhealthy — accept it, cry if you must. That’s what keeps the mind healthy,” he concluded with a reassuring smile.
