'A' film for kids

What do the recently released Telugu films, ���������Raaj���������, ���������Chattam��������� and ���������Shakti��������� have in common?
All three have been certified ���������A��������� by the Regional Censor Board, which means ��������� and we all know this ��������� the films are not to be viewed by children below 18 years of age. But sooner than later, these films have run into controversy as the uncut versions are being screened in theatres inspite of the censor board���������s directive.Besides, in some theatres, children below 18 are viewing the film. that���������s not all, the director of one of these films, Meher Ramesh, has gone one step ahead and done a TV programme where he was shown asking children about their views on his film ���������Shakti���������, despite the fact that it was granted an ���������A��������� by the censor board.
Questioning the legitimacy of the TV show, Regional Censor Board chief Dhanalakshmi asks, ���������When he knows that it was an A-certified film, and that children are not supposed to watch it, why did he go ahead and do a programme with kids?��������� Besides, she adds, ���������Once the film is certified, the producer is asked to prominently display ���������A��������� on the posters, so people can decide whether to watch the film or not.���������
Jagapathi Babu���������s ���������Chattam��������� came under the censor scanner due to a strong anti-Pakistani dialogue which used a lot of foul language. Though the producer Natti Kumar did away with the controversial dialogue in the film, the cut scene was part of the promos, premiere of the films and was also reportedly endorsed by the movie���������s hero Jagapati Babu who said at a premier that his dialogue received a lot of applause!
Natti Kumar though feigns ignorance about these oversights. ���������On hindsight I too felt bad about the dialogue and have voluntarily removed it,��������� he said, adding that he has taken personal care to ensure the censor certificate is clearly visible. Insisting that he was unaware of the promos that were aired on TV, the producer adds, ���������If the uncensored version is showing in theatres or television anybody can lodge a complaint.���������
Natti Kumar also accuses the Regional censor board of not implementing their rules properly. If an exhibitor is violating rules, like screening uncensored versions of films they should be punished, he says, adding, the board has to look into it, not producers.
Thammareddy Bharadwaj, director-producer, is quite cynical. ���������Most of our filmmakers don���������t how to make a film, how can one expect them to know about the rules.���������
Dhanalakshmi is now planning to organize workshops for producers and directors, to create awareness. About theatres and multiplexes allowing children into ���������A��������� certified films, she said, ���������The theatre management should act on that, I will write to them.���������
Reassuring, but we can���������t help asking ��������� Have we heard this before?