Farhan Akhtar on Padmavati, IFFI row: There is lack of unity in film industry

Amid the ongoing protests against "Padmavati" and the information and broadcasting ministry's decision to pull out two films "S Durga" and "Nude" from screening at IFFI, Farhan Akhtar says the film industry needs to come together in such testing times.

The information and broadcasting ministry dropped Malayalam movie "S Durga" and Marathi film "Nude" from the 48th edition of the film festival, to be held in Goa from November 20 to 28.

When asked about his viewpoint on the issue, Farhan said, "This is not just about those two films or just about the film ('Padmavati'). This has happened in the past with many films.

Unfortunately, we also have to blame ourselves. We should not just be pointing fingers, there is lack of unity (in the film industry) when it comes to these things.

"Everyone gets scared. It is a small industry... There are not that many people. If they don't come together to create an environment that they themselves can function in, the way they want to, nobody else is going to do that for them."

He asserted the audiences do not need to be spoon-fed but "be exposed" to different kinds of ideas and cultures through cinema.

Farhan also said there is no law that enforces people to go and watch every film that releases and the right to watch or refuse to watch any movie rests with the audience.

Read more: Padmavati row: Karni Sena members vandalise Akash mall in Kota

The actor-director, however, added, "... But you do not have the freedom to threaten somebody or cause grievous bodily harm or cause damage."

He said there is a certain ambiguity regarding the rules and regulations prescribed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which is "unfortunate".

"We, as a film industry, are depended on the CBFC to tell us what is ok and what is not. We have accepted that. Beyond that, it is in the hands of the I&B Ministry and for thegovernment to protect the films and the filmmakers."

The director was speaking on the sidelines of a book launch event.