This doesn’t happen everyday in India. The Army just made it to the country’s top list of offence-takers. And Balaji Telefilms’ czarina Ekta Kapoor has apologised. India may now well be on its way to entering the list of countries around the world where the military is worshipped to such an extent that no negative word is ever allowed.
The Defence Ministry recently wrote to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), stating that producers of movies or web series based on the Army should seek a no-objection certificate (NOC) before telecasting them. The letter, dated 27 July, stated that Ekta Kapoor’s web series XXX, which has been airing on video-streaming platform ALT Balaji since 2018, had allegedly depicted the Army in a “distorted manner”. One particular episode had reportedly hurt the sentiments of the Armed forces and their families.
The hashtag #ALTBalaji_Insults_Army started trending on Twitter on 4 June.
From right-wing groups like Karni Sena, who violently reacted to the portrayal of Mewar’s queen Padmavati in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2018 film Padmavat, to India’s controversial censor board, the army has also joined a long list of groups that want to have a say on how they are depicted.
But what the Army should have been more offended by is how a man like Hindustani Bhau, a former Big Boss contestant, defended its ‘honour’ by issuing rape threats.
Also read: Now, cine workers’ body slams Ekta Kapoor, seeks FIR for ‘degrading Army’ in Triple X series
The controversial episode
The episode in question, called ‘Pyaar Aur Plastic’, first aired on 8 February, 2020 and showed an Army officer’s wife having an affair. At one point in the episode, she makes her lover wear her husband’s Army uniform during their intimate moments.
Responding to severe backlash and multiple police complaints, producer Ekta Kapoor deleted the scene in question and issued an apology.
However, the real problem here is not the fact that this episode ‘hurt sentiments’, but the fact that most people believe that what the show depicted is something that can never happen in reality.
A critical perspective — that too in a work of fiction — does not diminish the Army’s revered position in our country and society. It does not insult the sacrifices officers make every single day. Demanding that a NOC is issued every time the Army is depicted on the big or small screen, for me, is a bit of a stretch.
Also read: Ancient Indian scriptures open to debate: HC dismisses plea to stop telecast of Vishnu Puran
Perspectives, narratives
It is not just XXX’s controversial episode that the Army seems to be offended by. Code M, another ALT Balaji series, deals with issues like casteism and homesexuality within the Army. It takes a long, hard look at the Army and tells a story of what happens when there is an abuse of power. The series follows the idea that crimes or wrongdoings are born out of existing prejudices, and it can overpower even the highest ideals of the Army.
But many of those within the Army do not believe that the show presents an accurate view of how things work in the military. “In some of the web series like Code M on Zee 5 and XXX on ALT Balaji, scenes related to the Army are far from reality and present a distorted image of the armed forces,” an Army source had told ThePrint last week.
It is interesting to note, however, that actor Jennifer Winget’s character in the show actually says that being casteist, or giving into such prejudices, is not the Army way of life.
But the assumption remains that the Army can do absolutely no wrong. This is an absurd idea, considering that no matter what the extent of discipline in any organisation or institution may be, it is ultimately formed by human beings, and ‘to err is human’.
The idea that an officer has never and will not ever buy into ideas of ‘caste honour’, or that an Army wife cannot possibly ever have an affair, perpetuates the belief that the entire structure of the Army, which includes families, is ‘pure’ and infallible.
There is no dearth of projects that laud the valour of our country’s Armed forces. Be it films or web series, or even songs, the Army has been always showered with praise and respect. But if no alternative or critical view is allowed, it is indicative of a bigger issue — especially in the world’s largest democracy.
Unwillingness to engage with alternative ideas or perspectives makes an organisation not just rigid, but also stagnant. The Army’s NOC demand seems to indicate while every praise will be appreciated, no criticism will be entertained.
Also read: Will Bollywood go back to flower-kissing days? Covid will make films hit rewind on intimacy
Taking offence and ‘hurt sentiments’
There is no objective standard for measuring ‘hurt sentiments’. There is no way to predict whether something that might be approved by one person, does not end up offending someone else.
How valid are the demands for bans or NOCs if they are based on the principle of ‘hurt sentiments’ or feelings? The Indian Constitution mentions “reasonable restrictions” on the fundamental right to freedom of expression. Such restrictions can be imposed for the maintenance of “the security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence.”
Considering this, it may have been more worthwhile for the Army to speak out against actions of someone like Hindustani Bhau.
If we, as a democracy, are run by ‘hurt sentiments’, we could soon be ruled by tyranny instead.
Views are personal.
Sorry theprint..This is neither good nor intelligent nor objective journalism, so I will neither subscribe nor support you financially or in any other way..
I came here to read the dumb toxic family article and stayed to check couple more..But the povs are all biased factually wrong and even lie and go against things which are easily available in public platform..So I won’t waste any more of my time here..Paid media can go a long way so keep doing what you do cause us people need someone to hate too..Right.. Adios
Why only karni sena?
Why not halal certificates etc?
It is really silly for the Indian Army to do this. This is akin to the Indian Govt doing it. This has happened all through India’s history from the days of Nehru. New for the Army, but not new for India.
Tina mam, when we write a comment on your article it undergoes a Moderation by your own team member, and then it is published on your world wide web. If your so democratic please remove this Moderation system on your articles. First Practice what you Preach. Thanks
Manna padega Kaafi sahi kachra likh leti hai..
Tina, thank you for writing such an absurd article. Best thing about The Print is it shows the name of the author of any article just below the Title of the article unlike any other Indian News Media. So you can built up your career and reputation by writing something sensical or loose your name by comparing an Orange with a Football. Views are Personal.
I don’t understand why it is so difficult to separate Fiction from Reality. Books, Films, Tv Series are all fiction and people should not get this much emotional and intolerant about these things. In reality, everybody respects the armed forces and I’m sure the author and Ekta Kapoor have as much respect for the forces as anybody else but getting rape threats for a TV Series is pathetic. Instead of becoming more open-minded and acceptable, people are becoming more and more conservative and intolerant. It feels like we are moving back in time instead of going forward.
This author’s credibility seems to be as low as the journal’s. Needless to say these morons have started to recognize their actual place, corner dustbin.
Tina,
Did you get the message all wrong? The problem is not with the Army Officers’ wife having an affair.
Do you think that making the fellow wear the army uniform is par for the course. Of course, you have a right to a view, even a distorted one. Simultaneously, as an influential writer (to the extend your work gets published in a respectable platform like The Print) , you have a responsibility to uphold certain ethos.
But as they say, I support your right to a view. I am proud to be a soldier of a country which gives to that right.
Regards
You are very condescending to Tina !
Are you proud to be a soldier in a country run by Hindu chai wallahs, fascists, genocidists, fake encounter specialists, and primitives in khakhi shorts who want to create Vedic India ?
yes I am PROUD
Proud of your cowardice and low intellect ?
The biggest sapper of morale in any army is to use it non-stop for suppressing civilians,. Then it has to fight a guerrilla war – which it can never win.
It is a failure of diplomacy not to solve the Kashmir problem with Pakistan.
On top of that, the Hindu extremists have provoked China and opened another front simultaneously. China have a thrashing and that has undermined the Indian army’s morale further. Think of what will happen in a two front war.
The use of the army to win elections is another thing that under mines them.
Introducing communalism and castiesm means certain communities in future will not join the army. You will end up with an incapable Hindu army.
Encouraging retired armymen and paying them to show off Hindu nationalism against neighbours increases enmity and compounds India’s problems.
Pathetic is the word Tina Das
Thank less creep!!
Who is this guy Rasgolla who is spewing venom against anything Indian?
Shekharji, wonder who monitors and moderates the comments section? A person who is even afraid of commenting in his/her own name says it all – a true fraud and incredible person!! Shut this guy!!
Maybe you could shut me with intelligent argumentation.
Ah, but you are not capable, so shut by force, like a fascist.
Prove to us your name is real. Send your aadhar card.
If you are so brave, go to the LAC and prove it in front of the Chinese. The Indian army could not cope, so Hindu militants should come forward and show their valour.
I suppose this is called paid journalism.. …how much did balaji entertainment paid you guys to publish this….on top of you are drawing parallels of Indian army with karni sena. Are you really going to stoop so low for money. Is this the kind of respect that you have for the men who die for us. Are you ready to sell your soul so easily and so cheap. Yes there might aot.of things happening in reality but it doesn’t mean we glorify it. There are some limits we might not want to cross and show some respect. Ekta kapoor ka toh chod do Alt balaji is all about nanga naach so if u are coming in support of alt balaji and its portrayal of the indian army then I guess u are very much a Pakistani journalist cause I don’t think an indian will be this shallow
“Demanding that a NOC is issued every time the Army is depicted on the big or small screen, for me, is a bit of a stretch”, says Ms. Tina Das. She is more concerned about the cyber bullying to Ms. Kapoor than the army issue. Well write another article then!!!
Of course being the largest democracy dosen’t give you the right to show our glorious armed forces in the way it is shown. What if it will have a demoralising effect on our youth who are willing to join. Does Ms. Das or Ms. Kapoor know anything about serving in the forces or when anyone is martyred from the family?
To the quote I put above, its absolutely right to have an NOC for making films about the armed forces and that’s how it should be.
Both the ladies should be happy that they live in a free country as ours otherwise in some other countries including the progressive ones you can get into trouble for this.
And just so that Ms. Kapoor has something to do, why don’t you make serials on extra-martial affairs rampant within your own film industry? We would like to see something like that.
Jai Hind…..
The article is biased and nothing more than a abuse again made in garb of freedom of speech, the Indian democracy is protected by the sacrifices of our armed forces,and that’s why in this democracy the intellectual liberals can bark the way they want unlike Communist regime or monarchies, at least this time the Government took cognizance is appreciable, cos few months back when I complained central Govt against Netflix for broadcasting a Pakistani movie named WAAR in the name of private screening, in the movie they shown that India supports terrorism and kills women and children and our spy agency RAW has violated all limits of moral turpitude etc,the govt only replied me that we can’t do anything as per broadcasting laws,but you file a FIR if your sentiments are hurted, when one breathes the air of this Nation,eats his bread and butter here,they are bound to not harm the dignity of this Nation with aid of freedom of speech and expression, this fundamental right has certain reasonable restrictions beyond which ones expression can lead to abuse which is certainly unacceptable, it is because of liberty of our country that Ekta was allowed to escape with a apology or else aFIR was warranted against her for insult or misuse of National Emblem which is on Army uniform, I ask the writer of article to go to Siachen Army post and stay for few days or in Jaisalmer in summer and than again try to write this article, yes but basically if someone don’t have any love or affection for Motherland and only see it as a matter of convinience for living a comfortable and luxurious life, it doesn’t matter for them for whom they are serving or from whom they are being paid, their motive in life is only to see comfort and don’t want any hardship for some ideology or principles,than for those people neither the army matters and neither the Country.
Such a nonsense article. Actually nonsense is such a low word for this stupidity and why the hell are you even putting your ridiculous thoughts? If it’s personal view post on your Facebook not like this. These idiotic people will never understand what our defence system is. Very very disappointed by the thoughts and nonsense created by your brain. Just so ridiculous. #shame on you
ThePrint should look for better contributors.
Why do you call yourself print.in when this whole article turned out to be bakwaas! Better change the name to useless gossip mongers.
Well said bro!