“A filmmaker cannot dictate how different people react to the same artwork,” said director Don Palathara, arguing that a medium like cinema doesn’t necessarily teach people how to live their lives. The filmmaker made this statement during a discussion on whether there is a correlation between graphic depiction of violence on-screen and Kerala’s rising number of violent crimes on TNM’s South Central podcast.
He called it “simplistic” to say that people acquire violent traits from watching violence in films. He warned that the danger in propagating this view is that it would result in blanket censorship of art.
“A politician’s solution to this would be to impose censorship. Art becomes an easy target, and it is only those in power who will benefit from such controls,” he cautioned. Don added that any kind of censorship would lead to blanket control over all forms of art.
Don Palathara is an award-winning filmmaker from Kerala, whose films have premiered in celebrated film festivals across the world. He is also part of the BAFTA Breakthrough cohort; India chapter of 2023.
Also in the discussion was psychologist and writer Ayesha Mahmood, who batted for censorship according to age.
Catch the full discussion on the 17th episode of South Central podcast.