Zoya Akhtar Critiques Censorship in Film

At a recent event in Mumbai, filmmaker Zoya Akhtar voiced her concerns over censorship in cinema, highlighting the inconsistency of allowing depictions of violence against women while banning scenes of consensual intimacy, such as kisses. She argued that it is crucial to portray love, tenderness, and physical intimacy on screen, stating that viewers should have access to these normal human experiences. Zoya drew comparisons between different cinematic styles and noted that the approach to intimacy varies significantly across cultures, citing that the French are more open to nudity than Americans. Her father, Javed Akhtar, added that the intention behind a scene—whether to evoke genuine emotion or merely titillation—should guide its portrayal. The discussion also touched on the lack of censorship in OTT content, raising questions about whether it serves as a limitation or a liberation for filmmakers. Zoya's remarks have sparked a broader debate on the need for a reevaluation of censorship standards in the film industry.