Vidya Balan’s Appointment To The Censor Board Is The Change We Need

This week marked a historic moment for Indian cinema; one that was unequivocally celebrated amongst the Indian film industry. Friday, August 11 became the day Prasoon Joshi replaced Pahlaj Nihalani as one of the most controversial Chairmen of the Central Board of Film Certification finally met with the fate we had all hoped for as Pahlaj Nihalani was sacked, while rumours of Prasoon Joshi filling his role became a very real possibility. Previously, under Nihalani, the film industry constantly faced cuts based on ludicrous reasons — most notably ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha,’ which was majorly targeted and then banned, simply for being too ‘lady oriented’. Aside from the fact that the phrase itself is laughable, the idea that it was a valid reason to contest its release speaks volumes about the mismanagement in play.

Thankfully, the wheels are in motion for an overhaul of system! Following the announcement of Prasoon Joshi heading the board, there came news regarding the appointment of Vidya Balan as a member of the board and this feels like a fresh and important consideration for many reasons. For one thing, the more diversified the censor board is, the more the chances of objectivity within their reasoning is. For too long, we have expected people speak up for those who cannot do so for themselves, and films remain one of the greatest mediums to create empathy for people we don’t necessarily ‘understand’ or ‘embody’ via our own experiences. The censor board needs to make room for people with different life experiences and perspectives to get involved in the decision-making of what Indian audiences can (and should) handle seeing. Besides, it’s hard to imagine an actor who has performed so many nuanced, thinking roles over her career–right from that of a dancing girl in ‘The Dirty Picture’ to a troubled, pregnant mother in Sujay Ghosh’s Kahaani–might say no to films that depict a female perspective.

Over and above this, Balan has defied industry norms by making a name for herself even as an ‘outsider’ and has consistently had outspoken opinions. She’s a person who has dedicated huge amounts of time and effort to developing her craft and it’s likely she will do what she can to uphold film-making as a whole and fight for a more progressive future. Iotas of doubt have already begun to creep in about new headman Joshi’s ties to the current government, however the truth is, the power lies in numbers. The more diverse people we have on the censor board, the better our chances are and Balan is a great first step.

Of course, there’s a naivety in assuming the censor board’ problems began and ended with Nihalani. In many ways, he was just the face of the board’s deep-rooted issues reaching its peak. It remains to be seen just how much individuals can work to improve our current systems if political climates and government pressures do not ease up. Until then, our faith forever lies in the power of film to infiltrate the hearts and minds of all people and gently push them to consider alternate human perspectives.