V Shantaram's Views on FILM COUNCIL

I don't know why my friends Mr Nagi Reddy and Mr Malhotra should prefer that it should be only an advisory body when experience must have shown them that such advisory bodies are of only ornamental and not practical value.

I can say that only a statutory body will have a status and powers to get things done at official level in their dealings with both the Central and State Governments. Considering the important functions the Council will be statutorily required to handle–the Central and State authorities will have to think twice before ignoring its opinions and suggestions.

Then, I also don't know why anyone should imagine that the Council will interfere with the artistic aspect of films or film making which are basically a matter of individual talent and initiative. Besides, how can a body saddled with such heavy responsibilities and functions assigned to it, be able to interfere with the day-to-day process of film making, dictating,  for instance, what subject is to be selected for production or how that subject should be treated. Even if there is such a possibility, one can always devise means to prevent it.

Even if compulsory pre-censorship of script through the Production Code Administration is imposed as a part of the scheme, the system will protect the producers from the evil of others plagiarising  or pirating their subjects, themes, etc, once the scripts are already registered with the PCA. The producers' freedom to make changes in the script will of course not be taken away from them. Moreover, all such incidental difficulties which may crop up could be ironed out once the Council starts working and need not bother us at this stage.

Let there be no fear that the Council will foist additional financial burden on the industry. The FEC had also given full thought to its revenue aspect and suggested ways to raise finance for it by a cess and by an apportionment of entertainment and other State taxes. The States, I am confident, will not hesitate to help the Council's growth because most of them are eager to encourage their own local industries.

Even if some control, such as licensing of producers, comes in its wake, why should one be distrustful of the Council? Licensing will not prevent entry of new talent.

I favour the idea of a Film Council as  a true well-wisher of the show business. It really pains me to find many of my colleagues saying that they have no time to consider the proposal and have tried to shirk the responsibility of committing themselves to a statement. Most of their fears about it, I feel, are imaginary. Let me tell them that it is only a Statutory Council which can harness our movie business to a better purpose.

This article was published in 'Filmfare' magazine's 16 October 1964 edition.