India / Boycott culture not good for india image in world says anurag thakur

New Delhi. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday condemned the 'boycott culture' targeting certain films and said such incidents vitiate the atmosphere at a time when India is a 'soft power'. Eager to increase its influence as Thakur said that if anyone has any issue with a film, he should talk to the concerned government department who can take up the issue with the filmmakers.

When asked about the boycott of the films by various groups, Thakur told reporters here, "At a time when India is keen to increase its influence as a 'soft power', at a time when Indian films are being sold in every corner of the world." There is noise in the corner, such things spoil the atmosphere.

The minister's remarks come at a time when calls are being made to boycott Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'Pathan', which released on Wednesday, over one of its songs. In the past, actors Akshay Kumar's "Samrat Prithviraj", Aamir Khan's "Laal Singh Chaddha" and Deepika Padukone's "Padmaavat" have faced boycott calls.

Thakur said, "If anyone has any issue (with the film), they should talk to the concerned department, which will take it up with the producer and director." For some people comment on it even before knowing it completely. This causes problems. It should not happen.''

no restrictions on creativity

Thakur is in Mumbai to inaugurate the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Film Festival, which will showcase 58 films from the regional grouping of eight Eurasian countries. SCO observer countries and dialogue partners have sent entries in the non-competition section of the film festival.

The minister also made a strong pitch for creative autonomy and said that adequate measures have been taken to monitor content on 'over-the-top' (OTT) platforms. "There should be no restriction on creativity," Thakur said.

He said that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting receives complaints regarding content on OTT platform, but about 95 per cent complaints are resolved at the level of producers and others are resolved at the second stage of 'Association of Publishers'.

The minister said that only one percent of the complaints reach the Inter-Departmental Committee and it is ensured that strict action is taken in such cases.