Drop rule for pop-up anti-smoking message on movie screens: Filmmakers urge government

NEW DELHI: Leading filmmakers in the country have requested the government to withdraw the stipulation for cinema halls to run a warning scroll whenever a smoking scene is shown on screen and said that video clips should instead be shot featuring film stars to maximise the impact of the anti- smoking message.

Noted film producer Mukesh Bhatt, who is the President of the Film and Television Producers Guild of India, said that leading filmmakers submitted this proposal to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry in a meeting held a fortnight back.

He said that film stars like Salman Khan, Aamir Khan and Shahrukh Khan, among others, are willing to shoot video clips to underline the message against smoking.

As per Union health ministry guidelines, a pop-up message against smoking has to be shown whenever there is any scene in a film depicting smoking.

The film fraternity has urged the I&B ministry to take up the matter with the health ministry. The I&B ministry is learnt to have given an assurance that it will take up the matter with the health ministry.

The plea by the filmmakers comes even as a controversy has been sparked over remarks by some MPs on the use of tobacco.

The film fraternity is of the view that showing the scrolls in the existing manner affects the creativity of the scenes. That is the reason why they have collectively submitted the proposal, they added.

"We have submitted a proposal. We have requested the ministry that there can be more impact through video advertisements involving popular film stars.

"We are all for spreading the positive social message. Leading film stars like Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Shahrukh Khan and others are willing to be a part of it (anti-smoking video clips)," Bhatt said.