Saada Haq - Banned Films are cultural artifacts created by specific cultures.

They reflect those cultures, and, in turn, affect them. Film is considered to be an important art form, a source of popular entertainment, and a powerful medium for educatingor indoctrinating citizens. This is part of the definition that you find when you Google the word film Recently a Punjabi movie called Sadda Haq was released. However a day before its release it was banned by the state government in Punjab which was followed by other states also banning it. The movie is successfully running worldwide to sold out audiences. Sadda Haq is a film based on the historical events that took place in Punjab during the late 80s and early 90s. It portrays what prompted young men in the state to rise up and fight against a corrupt police and government system during this time of extreme political and social turmoil. After watching this movie one is left wondering if terrorist" really is the correct term used to label individuals of a minority faith in India, fighting for equality and peace. The justification provided by the government for the ban was that there is a chance it will disrupt communal harmony. Which community is the government speaking about? I doubt that there will be communal dis-harmony amongst the Sikhs over this movie. Maybe they are afraid that localized extremists groups like the Shiv Sena will disrupt the peace as they did a day prior to the release of Saada Haq by burning an effigy of the movie director. Or as they have done over time with numerous movies, that they do not approve of. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has certificate ratings that it issues to a movie which in turn let the viewer know what kind of audience it is suitable for. Like the age rating system used in Hollywood movies. After refusal of certificate by the CBFC the producers appealed to the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) which approved the movie and it was granted a U certificate, which signifies the movie can be watched by persons of any age. If the producers have followed proper protocol in getting the movie to the audience then why does the government have such an issue? According to the Supreme Court of India: Film censorship becomes necessary because a film motivates thought and action and assures a high degree of attention and retention as compared to the printed word. The combination of act and speech, sight and sound in semi darkness of the theatre with elimination of all distracting ideas will have a strong impact on the minds of the viewers and can affect emotions. Therefore, it has as much potential for evil as it has for good and has an equal potential to instill or cultivate violent or bad behavior. It cannot be equated with other modes of communication. Censorship by prior restraint is, therefore, not only desirable but also necessary So if we focus on the statement above by the Supreme Court it raises the question as to how some of the movies being released these days make it past the censorship board. Where women are portrayed as sexual objects of desire, double meaning conversations, and open drug usage. As society is evolving todays movie goers are a little more intelligent than what the governing bodies think. I do not think a person is going to try and jump 10 floors from a building because the superhero in the movie just did.

Lets take a look at some released movies that have focused on some historic events, like Sadda Haq showing failures in the government system and receiving sympathy from the audience without incident. Some of these movies went on to win national awards. Bandit Queen a movie about a girl born into the Mallah caste who was gang raped, shunned by society, became a dacoit to avenge her rape, killed numerous people and finally surrendered in the end. Won numerous awards notably Best Feature Film in Hindi National Film Award. Paan Singh Tomar a movie about a soldier turned world class athlete and who due to a land dispute killed another villager, then to flee the law enforcement agencies becomes a dacoit. Best picture 60th National Film Awards Chakravyuh a movie that depicts the issues faced by the Naxlite movement where a common man sent in to infiltrate the movement feels sympathy and joins forces with them. All three movies above fall into the history genre and are based on historical events with fiction in the story to make it appealing to the masses. The movie Sadda Haq also falls into this genre. Sadda Haq portrays: 1. When innocents were forced to rebel against injustice & labeled terrorists by the existing government. 2. When political motivations created terrorists out of common criminals. 3. When the nations watchdogs became greedy, heartless money-making murderous machines. History is something that shows past events, but also can give a harsh sense of reality. Does that mean we do not revisit a chapter of history that was troublesome? If so then I think the CBFC really needs to rethink their stand on movies, or does this only apply to movies of the minorities? Although it seems the Indian film industry is trending more towards the Hollywood way of content and subject matter, our governments have yet to follow. Banning a movie of a minority population can only happen in India because the government knows they can do this and get away with it, freedom of speech and expression is only in a line in the Indian constitution that applies to the masses not to the minorities. An interesting song that is played during the ending credits of the movie is Jaago. Unfortunately since this song comes on at the end as the lights are turned on, people begin to get up and exit the theatre. The song needs to be listened to and really understood. What is happening with us? Akk chuke haan, thak chuke haan Vaade sun sun pak chuke haan! Har vaada har bar nikal da fokka eh Sambahl jaan sarkaaran hale mauka eh JAAGO! By: Parv Sangha