Entertainment

Butt out says Bollywood over smoke ban


30/ 6/2005

THE Indian government is to outlaw all images of smoking in Bollywood films and TV shows in a move praised by campaigners as a "sensible step" but attacked by film-makers as a curb on artistic freedom.
The ban, the most comprehensive of its kind in the world, will outlaw shots showing cigarette packs and advertising hoardings. Even Hollywood movies will have the 'offending' images electronically blurred. The Ministry of Health said that films predating the ban would need to a run a series of health warnings across the bottom of the screen.
Bollywood's biggest star, Shah Rukh Khan, is a singing, dancing, chain-smoking actor whose films are clouded by cigarette smoke. And with a production line bigger than Hollywood's, Indian movies have in recent years moved away from soppy romantic musicals to ape the west's blockbusters, where bad and good guys are seen smoking heavily.
Film director Shyam Benegal said the regulations would interfere with artistic expression. "The smoking act comes in handy when you want to develop a character. The ban does not make sense."


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