Author:
Publication: The Hindustan Times
Date: January 11, 2004
Sex and violence in films is no
child's play. Actress Raveena Tandon realised that to her discomfort at
the inaugural function of the 13th International Children's Film Festival
recently.
There were reportedly a lot of red
faces in Hyderabad when some children sang and danced to the tune of raunchy
film numbers during the opening festivities.
While both Andhra Pradesh chief
minister Chandrababu Naidu and Union I&B Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad
expressed their displeasure at the vulgar contents of the show, the 'Mast
Mast' girl's predicament was compounded by the fact that she also heads
the Children's Film Society of India.
Raveena later apologised to those
present at the function and said she too was shocked by the obscene presentation.
"I realy felt bad after the incident.
It is only now that I realise the danger of exposing in films and dancing
to third-rate songs. Those were the initial years of my Bollywood career
and I never thought how much harm could inadvertently be caused to children.
Vulgarity on screen is certainly detrimental to young, impressionable minds.
Like it or not, filmstars are role models for many in India and what we
do, they follow," admits a contrite Tandon.
The near brush with infamy has made
the actress think hard about the kind of work she does in future. According
to her: "I have decided never again to expose in films. What happened in
Hyderabad only makes me more determined to do challenging and meaningful
roles. I now take up just four or five films at a time and am very selective.
If the script requires me to reveal, I would prefer leaving the project
rather than compromise."
Tandon is also taking her responsibilities
as the newly appointed chairperson of the children's film body very seriously.
"As one of the largest producers of cinema anywhere in the world, it's
sad that we don't make more quality films for the younger audience. Children
today are extremely intelligent and aware. I shall try and get good directors
to step in and fill this void during my tenure," she says.
