సీఎం రేవంత్ కు ఎంపీ ఈటల రాజేందర్ కౌంటర్

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has strongly criticized the existing film certification system, arguing that censorship has become irrelevant in the digital age. Calling it an insult to audiences, the director urged the film industry to push for the abolition of censorship in its current form.

Sharing his views on social media, Varma said adults today have unrestricted access to global content through smartphones, streaming platforms, and the internet. In such a scenario, he questioned the need for a government-appointed committee to decide what people should or should not watch.

According to Varma, if citizens are considered mature enough to vote, run businesses, and make important life decisions, they should also be trusted to decide which films they want to watch.

He argued that censorship is based on the flawed assumption that adults need to be protected from a filmmaker’s perspective, describing the approach as outdated and unnecessary.

Varma also pointed out that cutting scenes from theatrical releases serves little purpose because uncensored versions often become available online within hours through various digital platforms. He claimed that censorship frequently generates more curiosity and publicity rather than restricting access to content.

Referring to the censorship of a scene from his film Obsession, Varma remarked that the deleted sequence likely reached a much larger audience through social media than it would have in theatres.

The director further questioned why films continue to face restrictions when audiences, including younger viewers, can easily access graphic news coverage and unrestricted online content. He maintained that cinema is a form of artistic expression meant to reflect different perspectives and encourage debate, which is essential in a democracy.

Instead of imposing cuts, Varma suggested that films should simply carry clear content classifications, allowing viewers to make informed decisions for themselves.

He also urged filmmakers and producers to unite against what he described as an outdated and arbitrary system. According to Varma, the industry should legally and publicly challenge the existing censorship framework rather than accepting repeated compromises.

Ending his statement with the hashtag #BanTheCensor, Varma said the time had come to replace censorship with greater creative freedom and audience choice.