Vikram Bhatt: What’s wrong with vulgar films?
‘Love Games’ filmmaker asks why people should be barred from watching what they want
Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt, whose new film Love Games is based on swinging or partner swapping, asks why people should be stopped from watching risque films if they want to.
Bhatt was upset that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has been chopping scenes, muting words and even banning movies in the Indian film industry.
“[The censor board] is worse now. The Congress government was much better... What’s wrong with cheap, vulgar films? Don’t I have a right to watch a vulgar film if I want to? Why are you protecting my taste?” Bhatt asked.
The director, who is known for his erotic thrillers, has said that a person’s choice to watch a certain type of film should not be affected by an outside force.
“I am a vulgar man. I want to watch vulgar films and I am willing to pay for it. Yes, put a huge disclaimer on a film saying ‘This film is vulgar’... I don’t mind that, but don’t tell me what is good or bad for me,” he said.
Asked if the censor board had been fair with Love Games, Bhatt said: “The censor board is like a watchman protecting a dilapidated house where nobody lives.”
Only one word was muted from Love Games, which has an adult rating.
“People are on the internet, they are sourcing foreign films... I don’t know what they are protecting. What culture?” Bhatt asked.
Known for movies like Raaz, 1920 and Hate Story, Bhatt agrees there is a surge in erotic thrillers in Bollywood.
But why is the genre considered distasteful in India?
“Because that’s the kind of people we are... That’s the kind of critics we have,” he said.
Bhatt stressed that Love Games deals with a subject that exists in Indian society.
“It is based on things I have seen. These are things that I have seen in my life... up close and personal,” he said.
