Do ‘Tooh’ and ‘Kiss My A**’ make Censors questionable?

By Soumya Anantharaman -

November 21, 2013 - 3:24 AM IST

Music and songs are something that filmmakers have been banking on, commercializing it to the point that it sets the cash registers ringing even before the film hits the silver screen. And dance numbers being Bollywood's pride is something that the audiences look forward to eagerly, especially when the movies in question belong to the big banners. And expecting something similar from a Punit Malhotra directorial like Gori Tere Pyaar Mein isn't a matter of surprise. But, surely the audiences were left stunned with the nature of one of those numbers titled 'Tooh'.

In a time when the Censor Board is stringent about offensive lyrics in songs, 'Tooh' has been given a green signal and that too, without any hindrance. While this has been raising questions in the minds of many, we at Bollywood Hungama asked a few youngsters about the song and the result was a mixed reaction.

While some enjoy the light hearted spirit of the song calling it 'funny' , there are a few others who do not appreciate the frequent use of 'Tooh' (Punjabi word for butt) in the song. "Such songs are completely senselessâ€¦ they shouldn't be made at all," said a youngster from Mumbai. In an era where Priyanka Chopra refuses item songs with cheap and vulgar lyrics and Sonam Kapoor participates in rallies against rape, Kareena shaking her booty did not go down well with a few girls. "I found the song offensive rather a little too sexual. I might not watch it in front of my parents. Even the dance and camera angles concentrate on a girl's b***. What's wrong with the songs in this generation?" argued a 25 year old girl from Delhi. Some others maintained a diplomatic stand saying that they would feel awkward to watch the song in front of their parents but do not find it offensive per say.

Recently, when Honey Singh has constantly been under the radar for using lyrics that sound like abusive words, the Censor Board had given strict instructions asking the musicians to change the song as per their laid down instructions. However, a song that describes the physical attributes of a girl has been passed without any objections. Agreeing to the Censor Board's decision, Shekhar Ravjiani of the Vishal-Shekhar duo, who have composed the music of the film, states that 'Tooh' is a completely entertaining family song, "It's a very cute way of saying shake your bum. It's a family song and there is nothing wrong about it. When you go on the dance floor, you tend to shake it, that's how you dance. It's just a fun song and has nothing to do with anything controversial. Those who criticize are the ones who will later dance on the same song, so is it ok then? 'Tooh' is a song that is even picturised as a family affair on the backdrop of a wedding," says Shekhar.

Though in this case the Censors may have been lenient, given that the song is being picturised as a wedding song, shouldn't the guidelines for item songs be set up straight and clear? How else does one decide whether the line of decency has been crossed or not with the lyrics of the songs? Especially so, when the same film has yet another club track which says 'Kiss My A**'.

Should the Censors have clearer guidelines, equally applicable to all filmmakers? Post your opinion in the comments section below.