Children’s TV…Major Indian TV companies decide to end the broadcast of adult rated films

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See  article from  timesofindia.indiatimes.com

In a fresh blow to filmmakers, four major TV broadcasters have decided not to purchase A rated films. Not even if the producers in question or the censors clip the objectionable portions and hand them a modified version to be broadcast. The broadcasters also added that in the event they purchase a film well before its release and it then gets rated A a week or two before hitting theatres, they will be left with no option but to terminate the contract. Confirming the development, Jayantilal Gada, CMD of PEN India, the acquisition agency for Zee TV, told TOI: We have decided we will not buy an A’ film. We hardly bought any films in the past that were unfit for family viewing. Zee TV is a family channel and it has decided to remain so always. Besides, why indulge in investment where neither the returns nor the viewership is according to expectations? Sony Entertainment Television, which has been a lead player in broadcasting films with controversial content, categorically told some filmmakers about the channel’s new policy. Mahesh Bhatt told TOI: A very highly placed representative of Sony told me they had taken a decision they would not buy films that get an A certificate from the Censor Board. She said even those films that are modified to a U/A rating for TV viewing will not qualify. This will create chaos in the film industry. Makers will have to do a rethink on content. STAR Gold and Movies OK and Colors are 2 other broadcasters following the leadof Sony and Zee TV.

Indian Tirade Mission…Keith Vaz has another knock at the Top Gear Christmas Special about a trade mission to India

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See article from parliament.uk

Keith Vaz has had another knock at the Top Gear Christmas Special that featured a few jokey comments about India. Vaz has tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament saying: That this House is deeply concerned by recent events which have served to undermine the excellent relationship between India and the UK; notes that the Top Gear India Christmas Special, featuring the unhelpful comments of Jeremy Clarkson and Dow Chemicals’ sponsorship of the London 2012 Olympics in particular have had a very negative reaction in India; is concerned that Indian student applications to UK universities are falling; is disappointed by Britain’s failure to secure the fighter jet contract from India despite the efforts of successive defence ministers; and calls on the Government to re-energise this vital, special and enduring relationship which ought to be one of the closest and most beneficial in the world.

Struggle with India…Indian state bans book suggesting that Gandhi had a gay tryst

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See article from bbc.co.uk

A book on Mahatma Gandhi has been banned by the government in his native state of Gujarat. The book by Joseph Lelyveld contains evidence that India’s independence hero had a homosexual relationship. Early reviews in the US and UK suggest that Gandhi was depicted as sometimes racist and that he had an intimate relationship with a German man named Hermann Kallenbach. Chief Minister Narendra Modi said that its contents were perverse and defamed the icon of non-violence. Modi accused the author of displaying a perverted mentality in writing the book, which he said had hurt the sentiments of masses of people: This publication defames the Mahatma and there is rising anger not only in Gujarat but in the entire country. Gujarat’s state assembly voted unanimously  to ban Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle With India, even though it has not yet been released in India. Lelyveld has denied writing that Gandhi was a bisexual, saying his work had been taken out of context.