the great indian censor

always had this feeling that i would become a film maker, not an ordinary one but a documentary film maker. because documentaries are the litmus test of a society and documentary film makers the climax species of media.

noted film maker govind nihalini once said that "documentary film makers in india are facing extinction if this situation continues then we would lose many talented filmakers"

why are we facing extinction? all because of our stupid senseless censor board. the 56 asian documentary film festival held recently in katmandu stands as a live example. large chunk of the films screened at the festival are from india and most of them have been denied permission for screening in india by our censor board.

"children of pyre" one of the documentary screened at the festival showcased the abundant talent of indian filmakers. the opening scene where a boy tells the viewers "i am 13 and i will be dead by 14" received thunderous applause. unfortunately even this film was denied permission by the censor board. not because it was obscence, not because it was violent just because it portrayed the harsh realities of children who make a living ny burning dead bodies in varnasi.

documentary films like farenheit 9/11 and sicko which shook the very roots of united states. are we incapable of producing such groundbreaking documentaries. no, but again the great indian censor comes in the way.

MR. nihalini thought you were exaggerating but you were absolutely correct the extinction is not far away......