Religion, a subject of profound sensitivity, becomes a tool in the hands of those who seek to stifle the voice of socio-political art that dares to question orthodoxy.
This blog is a tribute to the spirit of cinema that has faced the blade of censorship and emerged. These films, in their defiance and resilience, have sparked conversations, challenged norms, and nudged our society towards introspection and change:
Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama (1993)
The film faced a ban in India for more than three years due to the polarised and communal environment during the Babri Masjid demolition violence. People also took issue with the act of animating gods. However, the Hindi version of the film was finally broadcasted on Doordarshan in 1995. Without the ban, it might have been a HIT -as a bonus, some animators were from studio Ghibli.
In the original Indian English dub, Rahul Bose was the voice of Bharatha and Cyrus Broacha had voiced Angada. Another fun fact-: Bryan Cranston voiced the character of Rama in one of its adaptations.
Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food (2023)
In the light of raging controversy and anger based on certain parts of the film, this movie based on something as beautiful and compelling as cooking was pulled down by Netflix. Among the allegations made there were complaints that the movie made controversial remarks about Lord Ram and also promoted ‘love jihad’.
The lead actress, Nayanthara, then issued an apology prefixed in good measure by ‘Jai shree ram’.
Water (2005)
The final chapter in Deepa Mehta's critically acclaimed trilogy, this film flows into the heart of societal ostracism and misogyny, as experienced by widows confined to an ashram in the sacred city of Varanasi. The film, however, was embroiled in controversy as it was perceived to cast the nation in an unfavourable light.
Even before the cameras started rolling, the film sets were vandalised by right-wing activists, who went to the extreme of issuing suicide threats. This forced Mehta to relocate the entire production to Sri Lanka. After recasting the entire ensemble, the film was shot under a pseudonym, "River Moon".
-Payal Srivastava
Comments