If Bimal Roy or Sanjay Leela Bhansali were to remake Devdas today they may find it impossible to do so.
A drunk hero like Dilip Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan in Devdas or Amitabh Bachchan in Sharaabi, is soon going to be a thing of the past.
A reported new ban order by the Central Board Of Film Certification (CBFC) puts an end to all liquor consumption, specially by leading men.
In the recent Munna Michael, Nawazuddin Siddiqui was not allowed to be shown drinking although he played a gangster. Not just that, any liquor bottle on display in the frames has to be blurred.
Says the CBFC chairperson Pahlaj Nihlani, “ Merely putting a ticker warning at some remote corner of the screen whenever there is smoking or drinking shown, is not enough any more. We feel the superstars who are followed by millions and who set an example in societal behaviour must not be shown drinking or smoking on screen unless the provocation for doing so is really strong.”
Wonder what could be passed for a strong “provocation” for consuming alcohol or smoking?
Perhaps alcohol-related images would be allowed in a film about prohibition like Rahul Dholakia's Raees?
"A film where alcohol is essential would have to go with a Adults certificate," adds the censor chief.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)