Kareena Kapoor’s ‘Heroine’ challenges new antismoking laws

Madhur Bhandarkar’s upcoming film ‘Heroine’, which will feature Kareena Kapoor in the lead role, is facing trouble these days because the information and broadcasting ministry has ordered makers of the film to display anti-smoking message during the smoking scenes in the movie.

However, instead of accepting the message, the whole team of ‘Heroine’ moved to Delhi High Court on Monday after which Justice Rajiv Shakdher issued notice to the information and broadcasting and health ministries and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Shakdher has demanded responses from all bodies by Sep 10.

The film’s producer, UTV Software Communication, has requested the court to get them a board certificate so that their film releases without undergoing any cuts.

Veteran director Harry Baweja also believes that in a film smoking and drinking scenes are not used without cause.

“It’s a creative demand and part of the script. We don’t depict drinking or smoking scenes in our films to promote their consumption.

“We support the antismoking message in the beginning and at the end of the film but a text or video message in the middle of the drama will be a distraction for the viewers. It will break the reality element in our films. Such diktats by the government will be seen as an infringement of our right to freedom of expression,” he said.

In the meantime, Kareena shared her thoughts with the media as well. The 31-year-old, who is considered as the ultimate B’town diva, stated people have other sources available to watch things related to smoking or drinking.

“I think it is wrong to discriminate between films on the basis of smoking or bold scenes and barring them from being telecast on TV. There are many other channels people can turn to which show such scenes,” said Kareena.

Well, all said and done, let’s see if ‘Heroine’ really gets on air in its original form.

‘Heroine’ will hit the cinema halls on September 21 and along with Kareena, the film will feature the like of Arjun Rampal, Randeep Hooda and Rakesh Bapat.

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Posted by Imran Shaukat Khan on Aug 29 2012. Filed under Bollywood. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.