Censor Board objects to use of social media promotions

Blame it on the 'Kolaveri fever'. An increasing number of filmmakers are turning to social media to promote their films, or at least part of them. While Govindaya Namaha benefitted greatly from its song 'Pyaarge Aagbitayithe' going viral on a video-sharing site, the makers of the new film 'Simplag Ondu Love Story' (SOLS) are hoping that a trailer that they uploaded on the site will get a similar reception.
Interestingly, the trailer did get over a lakh hits in the first 10 days of its release on the site. But the problem is that the makers had uploaded promotional material without getting a censor certification for it. And Regional Censor Board president K Nagaraj is not happy. ���������According to the Cinematography and Cable Network Law, any activity of cinema promotion should be undertaken with the permission of the Censor Board Film Certification (CBFC).
The makers of SOLS and another film, Nimbe Huli, have violated the rule and uploaded teasers and songs without clearance from the CBFC. This has been discussed at the Board level. If we find that any of these uploads are distasteful, we will take action against the people who uploaded them without the Board���������s permission,��������� says Nagaraj.
Suni, the director of SOLS, says that the intention was not to upload a promo without the Board���������s permission. ���������We wanted audiences to see some bits of what we���������d done and get their feedback, so as to improve our product. Social media is in the public domain. Every person has the right to upload his or her personal creativity on this media. Just because what we uploaded is about a movie, it should not be killed. We have put it there for the benefit of our friends and well-wishers, as they are our best critics,��������� he says.
However, Hemanth Hegde, the director and lead actor of Nimbe Huli, which is also in the dock for uploading a song without censor clearance, fails to see the logic in having the Board certify what he is putting up on the net. ���������We need the public to tell us if they like what they see or not, and not just five people on the Board. If there is any objectionable matter, the public will bring it to our notice. The Censor Board is just interfering with our creativity and freedom,��������� he says.
Contributed By - Mahesh H