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Film review and freedom of expression: The year 2024 has been full of turmoil for Indian cinema. Most of the big budget films flopped at the box office. Even those that were moderately successful were equally appreciated by critics. Thanks to social media, now every third-fourth person has become a critic. After watching the film at the first showing on the first day, people immediately post their thoughts on social media, which either inspires or discourages others from watching the film. Well-known reviewers have millions of followers who wait for the reviewers’ reviews. Recently, there has been a demand from the Tamil film industry to take some action on this issue, which is like snatching the freedom of expression of a citizen of a free country.
How did the demand arise?
Producers from the Tamil film industry have petitioned the Madras High Court that film reviews should not be published anywhere for three days after the film’s release. He also condemned the film’s ‘personal attacks on the actors’ under the guise of this review.
Impact on these films
The court plea said that as a result of negative reviews, films like Suriya’s ‘Kanguva’, Kamal Haasan’s ‘Indian 2’, Rajinikanth’s ‘Vettaiyaan’, released this year, failed at the box office.
How effective are film reviews?
Do movie reviews really affect the movie business? The matter is not limited to Tamil film industry. This also applies to films of all languages in India and abroad. There are different opinions on this issue.
This is what reviewers think
Critics say that no one can be stopped from giving a review of the film. With countless social media platforms today, where do you go to lock down? No one can stop people from raising their voice on any issue, be it a film review. At least this is not possible in a democratic country. You may be able to ban two-four particular social media channels or accounts citing ‘personal attacks on actors’, but it is not possible to ban thousands of channels and accounts.
What do the audience say?
The audience has responded to this issue that, we go to watch a movie by spending Rs 200-250 on the ticket. The cost of breakfast and water is the same. If a family of 5 people goes to watch a movie, it will cost Rs 2000-2500. How can one stop the viewer from giving his honest opinion? If he likes the film, he will praise it and if he doesn’t like it, he will give negative comments. This is his right.
time has moved fast
In modern times, the disease of speed has spread everywhere. Everything from instant food to online shopping. So how can films be kept out of this? Friday release ever?? The review of the upcoming movie was published in the press on Saturday morning and people read it and made plans to go watch the movie on Saturday and Sunday. But now those days are gone. Now after watching ‘First Day First Show’ on Friday morning, its review gets circulated on social media by afternoon.
The impact of reviews is not only negative
If the review is negative then people avoid watching the film, whereas if the review is positive then there is a crowd of spectators in the theatres. So it can be said that film review not only has negative effects, it also has benefits.
There is an exception to this even in films.
However, not many movies get ‘Mohtaz’ in reviews, recent release and smash hit Allu Arjun’s ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’ is an example of this. This Telugu language film has received mixed reviews from critics, yet audiences are flocking to the theatres. The film has so far earned more than Rs 1,000 crore worldwide. The success of this film is proof that film reviews are not the only measure of success. Ultimately the audience is the ‘king’.
Reviews are also fixed
In the last few years, there have been cases where producers have ‘bought’ well-known critics with millions of followers by giving them gifts after the release of big films. Such critics then give false praise to the film. However, this move is not successful in the long run. If the film lacks substance then the audience gets bored. Of course, in such a situation the financial loss to the film can be reduced.
What happened to freedom of expression?
We are citizens of a democratic country. The Constitution of the country has given everyone the right to freedom of speech and expression. In such a situation, it is foolish to demand a complete ban on reviews for three days.
To make a long story short, the film industry has to say that the ban on film reviews is not justified, it is wrong to make a rubbish film and expect people to watch it and appreciate it. If you make good films, the audience and critics will automatically appreciate it. Correct?