In recent years, the landscape of Telugu cinema has undergone significant changes, raising eyebrows among audiences and critics alike regarding the role of the censor board. Once characterized by a certain decorum, Telugu films now frequently feature explicit language and excessive violence, prompting questions about how such content has managed to pass censorship. As public scrutiny of these films continues, it is oddly the film titles that have become the focus of the censor board’s latest interventions.
Over the past month and a half, the censor board has taken issue with the titles of four Telugu films, leading to a peculiar situation where the board seems more concerned with names than the actual content of the films. For instance, the film ‘Vanaveera,’ which had initially been promoted under the title ‘Vanar,’ was forced to change its name just before its release, rendering all prior promotional efforts seemingly futile.
Similarly, the film ‘Couple Friendly’ received positive reviews upon its release last weekend, but the distributor Dheeraj Mogileni revealed that the censor board suggested a title change to ‘Friendly Couple’ if they wanted a ‘U/A’ certification. Ultimately, the film team chose to release the movie without altering the title, raising further questions about the board’s criteria for censorship.
As the weekend approaches, another film, ‘Hey Bhagwan,’ has also faced a title change, now being released as ‘Hey Balwant.’ Additionally, the movie ‘Chai Wala’ has been retitled ‘Nawab’s Café.’ Notably, none of these films contain explicit language or derogatory terms, making the censor board’s insistence on title changes particularly perplexing.
Recent releases and teasers have shown an alarming trend towards graphic violence and an exaggerated portrayal of teenage romance, leading netizens to wonder why the censor board has chosen to overlook such content while fixating on titles. This discrepancy has sparked discussions online, with many questioning why the board is addressing non-issues while allowing more serious content to slip through the cracks.
The current situation has left audiences baffled, as they ponder the censor board’s priorities. As the debate continues over the appropriateness of film content versus its title, many are left to wonder if this obsession with names signifies a deeper issue within the film industry and regulatory bodies.
As Telugu cinema evolves, the conversation surrounding censorship remains vital. With the board focusing on titles rather than the more pressing issues of content, it raises a crucial question: why the inconsistency in addressing the problems that truly matter in today’s cinematic landscape?
