Kiran Rao to star in anti-smoking advert?

Anti-smoking adverts and disclaimers appearing in the theatres or not has been a topic of debate for a long time.

While some filmmakers believe that it hinders their creative expression on screen, others preach that a small warning in the corner does no harm. However, what does seem to be true is that most of the cinema loving audience find these adverts in the middle of a movie rather irritating. And yet, the CBFC has made it mandatory for the makers to display the aforementioned warnings and ads in the theatres, reports DNA India.

Latest reports however, say that these adverts with soon be replaced by new ones that will apparently be more effective and made by filmmakers from the industry. Reportedly, the adverts will also feature Bollywood celebrities and Kiran Rao has been approached to make the first advert on the subject.

The CEO at The Film and Television Producers Guild of India Ltd, Kulmeet Makkar, informed that they have been in talks with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting after coming to the conclusion that the repeated adverts and disclaimers disrupt the viewing experience. “They saw where we were coming from and after much contemplation asked us to make ads which are far more effective and to the point,” said Makkar.

He further added, “The industry is pleased to take on the responsibility. In fact we are in the process of approaching filmmakers who could make these ads. The plan is that once we are ready with them, others ads and disclaimers will be removed from theatres. It’s a great step for the industry and society.” Makkar also informed that the new adverts will be somewhat on the lines of what retired Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid does currently, with the central idea being to find a Bollywood celeb that the masses can look up to.

Makkar also informed that making anti-piracy content is also on the cards. “Anti-piracy ads will see stars churning out messages of “Don’t steal our movies, don’t pirate. We will ask the government to play them just like the anti-smoking ad and the national anthem,” he explained. When asked what if the CBFC has a problem with it, he said, “The Board will follow what the I&B Ministry says and in this case they (ministry) have written to us. No trouble at all,” added the report.

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