Negative effect of Bollywood Exposed

[Guest guest]

Jan 11 2004 Hyderbad, India

Sex and violence in films is no child's play. Actress Raveena

Tandon realised that to her discomfort at the inaugural function of

the 13th International Children's Film Festival recently.

 

There were reportedly a lot of red faces in Hyderabad when some

children sang and danced to the tune of raunchy film numbers during

the opening festivities.

 

While both Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu and Union

I&B Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad expressed their displeasure at the

vulgar contents of the show, the 'Mast Mast' girl's predicament was

compounded by the fact that she also heads the Children's Film

Society of India.

 

Raveena later apologised to those present at the function and said

she too was shocked by the obscene presentation.

 

"I realy felt bad after the incident. It is only now that I realise

the danger of exposing in films and dancing to third-rate songs.

Those were the initial years of my Bollywood career and I never

thought how much harm could inadvertently be caused to children.

Vulgarity on screen is certainly detrimental to young, impressionable

minds. Like it or not, filmstars are role models for many in India

and what we do, they follow," admits a contrite Tandon.

 

The near brush with infamy has made the actress think hard about the

kind of work she does in future. According to her: "I have decided

never again to expose in films. What happened in Hyderabad only makes

me more determined to do challenging and meaningful roles. I now take

up just four or five films at a time and am very selective. If the

script requires me to reveal, I would prefer leaving the project

rather than compromise."

 

Tandon is also taking her responsibilities as the newly appointed

chairperson of the children's film body very seriously. "As one of

the largest producers of cinema anywhere in the world, it's sad that

we don't make more quality films for the younger audience. Children

today are extremely intelligent and aware. I shall try and get good

directors to step in and fill this void during my tenure," she says.

 

Source: Hindustan Times