Friday, June 3 2005 20:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Censor Board chief Sharmila Tagore today (Jun 3, 2005) came out against the way the Government went about its decision to ban smoking in films, terming it as a "decision taken in haste and very unaesthetic in taste." "No self-respecting director will like it," Sharmila Tagore told PTI, contending that the film industry or the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) should have been consulted on the matter.

Even as she supported the intent behind the decision, Sharmila Tagore, who has shot off a letter to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry putting "her side of the story", said that the decision is "very difficult to implement" in its present form.

"Although I support the intent, it is very difficult to implement, especially when we have foreign movies also coming into the country," she said.

She said that the Government should give the industry more time on the matter. "Applying it from August one is very difficult, especially for films which have been completed or on the verge of completion," she said.

"Something like September or November would be practical to implement," she added. On May 31, the Government announced its decision to ban screening of tobacco products in movies or tele-serials from August 1.

The six provisions, introduced in the existing laws, require mandatory display or prominent scroll containing health warning when use of tobacco products is shown in all the movies or in tele-serials irrespective of the timeframe they were shot.

Commenting on the provision requiring mandatory display of prominent scroll containing health warning when use of tobacco products is shown, Sharmila Tagore said, it was "very unaesthetic and no self-respecting director will like it." "They are trying to make a work of art. This kind of a scroll is something disturbing," she said.

She suggested alternate methods to highlight the issue. "After the display of the Censor certification, the warning message can be displayed prominently and can be repeated after interval. Also, the film stars can make an appearance, saying they don't support smoking even though they have done so in the film," the CBFC chief said.

She admitted that films had a big impression on young minds and that smoking was not the only way to build a character.

However, she said that the method of implementation should be thrashed out after involving all the stakeholders, which includes filmmakers. "This is necessary for having a broad perspective," she said.