View: The dodgy art of getting only positive feedback
Filmmakers criticising criticism is a global phenomenon as old as cinema itself. In Kerala though, matters have taken a grave turn, with some directors seeking legal curbs on critiques on social networking sites and YouTube.
Several developments reported from the state in the October-November period have implications for free speech nationwide.
First, Mubeen Rouf, director of the Malayalam film Aaromalinde Adhyathe Pranayam (Aaromal's First Love), petitioned the Kerala High Court to prevent influencers and vloggers from publishing reviews on social media for at least seven days after his film's release. Then, Ubaini Ebrahim, the director of Rahel Makan Kora (Rahel's Son Kora), filed a police complaint against the head of a promotions company, alleging blackmail and accusing him of being responsible for negative reviews of the film.
Cases were registered against the latter and some online reviewers. The Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA) has since called for a ban on reviews being issued within theatre premises.
Several producers and directors have also been vocal against interviews of audience members being conducted at theatres.
While these moves have ignited a conversation in Kerala about freedom of expression, another equally important issue must also be highlighted: the double standards of filmmakers carping about negative feedback.
With the television boom at the turn of the century, Indian news channels began sending reporters to theatres to get viewers' reactions as they emerged from early shows of a film.
