UNCENSORED: Meet the youngest and most stunning censor board member Pinky Harwani
Pinky Harwani, who started her career as an actress, Read More">decided to leave her career as she decided to settle down away from the world of glamour and jazz. But it seems that she isn’t ready for it as yet as she has decided to return to the entertainment industry. She is now a member ofRead More
Pinky Harwani, who started her career as an actress, decided to leave her career as she decided to settle down away from the world of glamour and jazz. But it seems that she isn't ready for it as yet as she has decided to return to the entertainment industry. She is now a member of Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and is also one of the panel member who looks into Hindi and English films certification.
Bollywood Hungama got into a brief conversation with one of the youngest members of the board, Pinky Harwani. Amidst the number of controversies that are lurking around CBFC owing to its stringent rules, this outspoken and liberal actress has decided to throw some light on the current situation of the board, the changes she would like to see in people as well as the board and also about her comeback in Bollywood.
Do you think we as people need to adapt more liberalized views comparatively? If India needs to be more liberalized, then for sure yes! There is always more scope in liberalizing or having liberalized views. It is just that people in India are a little bit more emotional, I feel. For example, during the time of Bajirao Mastani, we as members of the Censor Board received a court case before we actually went for the screening and we were advised to not view the film and not give it certification because the ancestors wanted to put a court case on the film and stop it because they were saying that they (the filmmakers) have not portrayed Mastani the way she should have been and also not portrayed the wife (Kashibai) correctly. That is actually not our job. Our job is to view the film with its creativity. Allowing its creativity that's something the producer and the director have full liberty to do. And I obviously view it as a film not as a social cause of whether they followed certain protocols or not. That's not really our job. The film has to be taken open mindedly into account and not as something that will hurt someone's sentiments. Not every film is veered at portraying something like that. And the characters - every director has every right to portray them the way they want, nothing wrong with that.
What are the kind of changes do you recommend in case of censorship, if any? The guidelines need to be upgraded. What I would advise also is to show the film to public, as in a panel of audience from varied fields who could watch the film. We could then ask them about their views on the film, what do they think about it, what was good, what would you change about it. That would help the success of the film. We have a lot of good films. Unfortunately the industry is going through a downfall at the moment. We are finding a lot of tough competition coming from the West, the Hollywood movies. While good Hindi films are releasing, also at the same time, one or two big blockbuster Hollywood films are coming in to compete. So the result is that Bollywood movies often suffer.
You have been an actress yourself… any plans of returning to the silver screen? Oh yes! Definitely. You are going to be seeing me very soon but I am not going to say anything much as yet. I am having a lot of these discussions with film producers and I'll be making an announcement very soon.
What kind of films would you like to be a part of? Any latest movies that you would have loved to do? I would love to be a part of all types of different genres because I think experimenting is the main thing. It also gives you chance of reinventing yourself and you never know how these challenges will help until you step into the role and say 'wow' this is something different and I didn't know if I could do it. As of now, I would probably like to start off with something more commercial, get myself back in and understand how things have changed. As my confidence goes ahead and I am comfortable in my own skin, I had like to do more women-oriented roles. And of course period films with a lot of drama and lot of romance would be ideal. To answer your other question, well I think Bajirao Mastani was fantastic! Kashibai. There was a lot of oomph in Priyanka's role and she portrayed it very beautifully, very restrained and at the same time, it got a message across.
Of late, the Censor Board is plagued with controversies... what is your opinion on that? I think it's unfair. When I sat with Pahlajji to talk about it, I sensed that people are being unfair because they probably don't have a clear understanding of who they are targeting. See we need to understand that the situation in India is completely different in its school of thoughts compared to an 18 year old in the US or abroad. That's all because of the upbringing and influence. Fortunately or unfortunately you have to bear in mind that India and its youth is very impressionable. What they watch on TV/films they believe that it is a part of real life. Someone who is more educated or rather the upper middle class do understand the difference but there are a lot of people who believe that what they watch in cinema is actually true. We have the responsibility that we do not hurt anyone's thoughts. We will not allow anything that is too impressionable. What is essential for any of them in this team is that any particular group should not exceed over what the real meaning of the film is.
Can movies work in a reverse manner where bold films can actually make us change perceptions? No, that is not going to change unless we change the mindset of how people are brought up in India. Unfortunately in India, certain people still believe that women aren't equal to men. It has to start with every mother how she brings up her son and it starts at home. Education plays a key role in this and we cannot change it only through films. In fact, when people watch a film, they may get aroused and they may think that it's ok to do things - like if you see a 12 year old girl in a small uniform or a skirt then she is up for it but you know she is not. She is just a small girl going to her home or a school and that is not a sign of her being available. It's such an unfortunate situation that the censor board is under so much controversy but actually it's far from it. Our job is to help as much as we can and it's a welcome that Shyam Benegal (veteran filmmaker) is now involved. He is trying to suggest new guidelines to the government, perhaps add a new rating system like PG 12 or PG 15.
How did you join the Censor Board? I was moving around, talking to a lot of people, looking for work. I am not quite sure but somebody must have found me interesting and found me good for a position in Censor Board and the next thing I know I get a call from Delhi asking me to meet which I missed. Three months later, I got a call to come to the Censors office and I obliged. The next thing I knew I was asked to join them.
What intrigued you to join Censor Board? It was just the fact that I get to watch many movies (laughs) and who can get tired of doing something that they actually love. I didn't see it as a job but an experience where I could learn more and more about the movies. There are so many movies coming, some from the country, some from the world and every one of them has something to add and for me that diversity is exciting. There is a lot you can learn as a part of the Censor Board. I did not even know about the kind of movies that was there, the C and D grade films that we obviously don't even come across. There is so much out there and this process of learning is what is exciting for me.
What is your role in Censor Board? I am a panel member of the board where I watch films. I have a say in what certification should be given to the film. Of course, certain films are a little too obscene. We have to take into account the facts of the film. I do have a say in the film, I mean, if I feel that something should be edited or cut out. However, I do have certain guidelines. I do watch English films, Hindi films among others as a member of CBFC.