Actor turned entrepreneur Suniel Shetty has voiced his opinion on the topic of censorship for OTT (Over-the-Top) content, stating that he is not in favor of it. Shetty believes that while it is wrong to sell junk by taking advantage of the lack of censorship, makers of OTT releases have a responsibility to cater to the demands of each generation.
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Shetty expressed his view that good content can sell and that it is a misconception to think that only explicit or negative content attracts viewers. He believes that the industry is going wrong in this regard, and he attributes it partly to the influence of social media.
Shetty, who recently made a comeback to the screen through OTT platforms, emphasized the need for moral responsibility when it comes to explicit content. He advocates for age and content-related restrictions, recognizing the importance of family values in his own background.
The debate over censorship on OTT platforms has been a topic of discussion, and it gained further attention when actor Salman Khan expressed his displeasure with the vulgarity and abusive language used in content on these platforms. Khan called for censorship, stating that it is necessary to protect younger viewers.
The Information and Broadcasting Minister, Anurag Thakur, has also taken a stance on the issue, warning OTT platforms that obscenity and abusive language will not be accepted in the name of entertainment and creativity. He emphasized that the platforms were granted freedom for creativity, not for promoting obscenity.
While petitions have been filed in various courts seeking regulation of content on OTT platforms, the Supreme Court stayed proceedings on such cases earlier this year. In response to concerns, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has addressed grievances related to OTT content under the IT rules, 2021.
The debate surrounding censorship on OTT platforms continues to evolve, with stakeholders expressing their diverse perspectives on striking a balance between creative freedom and responsible content production.
