Sudhir Mishra on Besharam Rang debate: It is the responsibility of the state to protect the films

Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra reacted to the ongoing debate over Besharam Rang from Shah Rukh Khan-Deepika Padukone’s film Pathaan. The director was at the 28th Kolkata International Film Festival where he presented the Satyajit Ray Memorial Lecture on Understanding Cinema in the Changing Time of OTT. Later in an interview with OTTplay, he said that it is ‘nonsense’ to debate over the colour of a dress. 

Sudhir Mishra also said, “If somebody doesn’t like the colour what can be done? There are only these many colours. It is nonsense to discuss the colour of a heroine’s dress. My problem is why are you paying so much attention?” He further added, “I think too much attention is being given to these things. I think it is the responsibility of the state to protect the films that are being released.”

Sudhir Mishra also pointed out that the film industry has become a soft target. “I don’t think the audience has become more polarised but I think they are being allowed to speak. The film industry is one of the easiest targets. Media cover it widely. And hence it is the easiest place to attack. Attacking a political movement is difficult because you will face a counterattack. You can practically say anything to the film industry and they will be afraid of theatres being stoned and films being taken down. They are not activists and many of them are popular actors,” the filmmaker said.