Banning online film reviews equivalent to curtailing freedom of speech and expression: Madras High Court
Justice N. Anand Venkatesh said, reviewing the quality of newly-released movies on mainstream media as well as social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and X was also a part of the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression and therefore, producers could not expect only positive reviews.
The judge said, the members of the producers association should accept the reality and not attempt to foreclose reviews. 'The relief sought for by them in the present writ petition is unsustainable and cannot be granted by this court,' he observed dictating orders.
'Negative reviews about judges too'
He added the producers appeared to have conveniently forgotten about the new challenge posed to the existence of cinema theatres by the OTT (Over the Top) platform which was slowly turning out to be the preferred choice for many to watch newly-released movies at the comfort of their homes.
During the course of hearing, the judge told the petitioner's counsel 'we are living in an era when people give negative reviews even about judges. Just go and see how they have criticised me on the social media. We cannot stop all those things. Today anything and anybody can be reviewed. It is all beyond control.'
What if review comes from Azerbaijan?
He added: 'I follow a different practice. Whenever there is a negative review about a movie, I watch that particular movie because I know that it is done by some force. With social media, you can stop nobody. If you stop someone here, another person will do it from Azerbaijan. What will you do then?'
The judge also asked, 'even if I pass an order as sought by you, how can that order be implemented? I do not believe in passing orders which cannot be implemented. You are seeking an impossibility before this court. Today, the entire world is in the grip of social media. There is not a single person/organisation/country which escapes the review or comments made in social media.'
'Next to impossible to stop'
Stating it was next to impossible to stop such comments, he said: 'In the social media era, awareness is the only solution through which the society can tread a balanced path. People must gauge movies after watching them and should not be swayed by what others say about those movies.'
Also observing that the opinion regarding a movie would differ from person to person, Justice Venkatesh said, just because some persons give a negative review about a movie, that by itself, would not stop others from watching the movie and coming to their own conclusion.
'That is the reason why this court has said that awareness alone could be the panacea for the social media evil. History tells us that movies which faced such negative reviews in the beginning, actually revived themselves and proved to be successful. Therefore, people must not be undermined,' he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Pink Villa
35 minutes ago
- Pink Villa
Josh Peck and Wife Paige O'Brien Welcome 3rd Child, Here's Exploring Drake & Josh Alum's Relationship Timeline
Josh Peck is a father again. The Drake & Josh alum welcomed his third child with his wife, Paige O'Brien. Taking to his Instagram, the actor announced the happy news while also revealing the name of their baby boy. The Amanda Show star shared a couple of pictures of his newborn, swaddled in a blanket, on his social media. The mother of three also shared pictures of her youngest child and wrote in the caption, "Meyer Lane, we love you, we love you." Peck then reposted the photo on his Instagram story. Peck and O'Brien are also parents to Shai Miller and Max Milo. Meanwhile, the couple first announced on Instagram that they were expecting their third child. O'Brien stood sideways and flaunted her baby bump, while the actor placed his hand on her stomach and smiled. In the caption, he wrote, "I finally get a minivan." Josh Peck and Paige O'Brien's relationship timeline Josh and O'Brien first met on the sets of Drake & Josh, where the latter worked as a cinematographer. The duo began dating in 2011, and although they kept their relationship private in the initial years, the actor announced his engagement to Paige in 2016. On his Instagram, the cinematographer shared a selfie of her and Peck as she flaunted her diamond ring in front of the Eiffel Tower. In 2017, the couple went on to tie the knot in Malibu, with their close friends, family, and a few celebrity guests in attendance. A year later, the duo welcomed their first son, Max, and four years later, announced the birth of their second child, Shai. Speaking about parenting, Paige opened up to People Magazine about the challenges she faced. She said, "I really had every intention of breastfeeding when we had Max, and then I quickly realized that I never produced enough milk. I kind of drove myself crazy for a few weeks, trying to really force it, and then we went to formula and had to try out a bunch of different ones until we found the right fit." She further added, "With Shai, it was the same, and so we gave him Enfamil right from day one in the hospital. That's what our doctors gave us, our pediatrician, and he's been on it ever since." The couple has now entered a new phase as a family of five.
India Today
36 minutes ago
- India Today
Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan slammed for working with sexual assault accused
Director Vignesh Shivan and actor-producer Nayanthara were criticised by a section of people on social media for working with choreographer Jani Master, who was accused of sexual assault in a POCSO case. Many questioned the couple's decision to provide a platform for a sexual predator. It all started when director Vignesh Shivan re-posted an Instagram Story confirming his collaboration with Jani Master in his upcoming film, 'Love Insurance Kompany'.advertisementOn July 1, choreographer Jani Master shared a social media post with director Vignesh Shivan. He shared a photo and a candid video with the filmmaker from the shooting location. "Candid & crazy with the dearest #VigneshShivan Sir on the sets of #LoveInsuranceKompany. It's always a joy working with you for the care, respect and trust you shower on me sir. Can't wait to show the magic we created to all of them (sic)," his post the post: Vignesh Shivan re-shared his post on his Instagram Story and wrote, "Sweet master ji. Team LIK - love you and your vibe a lot (sic)," with a string of heart and heart-eye the post: Soon after the post went viral, many slammed Vignesh Shivan for platforming a man who was accused of sexual assault. Some even called out Nayanthara, his wife and one of the producers of 'Love Insurance Kompany', for collaborating with Jani X user wrote, "There's a reason people are losing respect for #VigneshShivan. First it was Dileep. Now it's Jani Master. Keep calling accused predators a 'vibe' and we see exactly where you stand — not with survivors. And #Nayanthara is just okay with it? Some 'power couple.' @NayantharaU (sic)." Many pointed out their double standards, while pointing out the times she has spoken against abusers in the are some reactions: In September 2024, choreographer Jani Master admitted to sexually assaulting a junior colleague when she was still a minor. The choreographer was arrested and later let out on conditional bail. Following his arrest in POCSO case, his National Award for Best Choreography for the song 'Megam Karukkatha' from Dhanush and Nithya Menen's 'Thiruchitrambalam' was Nayanthara nor Vignesh Shivan have reacted to the controversy yet.- EndsTrending Reel
Pink Villa
an hour ago
- Pink Villa
Why did Akshay Kumar demand Kareena Kapoor's casting opposite him in 2002's Talaash? Pahlaj Nihalani reveals shocking truth
Bollywood films these days, with a younger actress cast opposite an established actor in their 50s or maybe 60s, are becoming quite common. But there was a time when this was not the trend. However, Akshay Kumar broke the norm when he intervened in the casting of his 2003 film, Talaash: The Hunt Begins. In a recent interview, filmmaker and former CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani revealed that Khiladi Kumar insisted on casting Kareena Kapoor Khan opposite him so that he could appear young. Pahlaj Nihalani on Akshay Kumar's demand to cast Kareena Kapoor Talking to the Learn From The Legend YouTube channel, he admitted that it wasn't common for actors to interfere in a film's casting, and he wasn't accustomed to such things. He had always seen only producers and directors taking those decisions. Sharing an example, he cited Akshay Kumar's example, who wanted only Kareena Kapoor to be cast opposite him in Talaash: The Hunt Begins. Recalling the incident, Pahlaj narrated that Akshay was the first actor to have interfered in the casting of a film. He came to Pahlaj and assured him that they could begin filming right the next day, and he could give the actor whatever amount he wished, but the condition was just that the actress had to be Bebo. "It was one of the most costly films of that time; it was made in Rs 22 crore. This was the first time in my career that an actor had demanded a certain cast." Further explaining why the Hera Pheri 3 star wanted this casting, Nihalani revealed that sometimes, as actors grow older, they want to star opposite a younger actress so that their own age appears less pronounced. He also said that these days, actors decide everything and producers only work as a courier service. Pahlaj Nihalani on growing entourage expenses The veteran filmmaker also shed light on the current hot topic of the growing entourage cost in the industry. He expressed that the current work culture has become bloated with unnecessary demands and vanity. He said, "Where one person was working, now 10 people are employed. Earlier, there used to be one vanity van, but now actors demand six vanity vans — one for exercising, one for the kitchen, one for meetings. Sharam ani chahiye un actors ko jo che vanity vans mangate hai." (They should be ashamed to ask for 6 vanity vans.) Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more such updates.
