8th May 2023, Mumbai: Given the controversial content shown in some internet broadcasts, there has been discussion over the past few years over whether OTT should be subject to any form of regulation. Dibyendu Bhattacharya, an actor who has been well-known recently as a result of several OTT programmes, firmly believes that online content shouldn’t be restricted.
He admitted, “I have never understood much about censorship since the beginning,” in an interview with Bollywood Hungama. “Four to five persons ultimately decide what the audience should watch. Do you not believe that this goes against democracy? I have never had faith in this.”
Dibyendu supports categorizing content according to age groups. “They ought to label a given initiative as U (universal), adult material, or parental supervision. Or, they may use age-restricted ratings as Netflix does. What will they censor, exactly? After all, life is reflected through art. Will life be censored?”
The actor holds that as art is a representation of reality, its contents must reflect reality. “In reality, they haven’t outlawed alcohol, tobacco, or gambling. In actual life, there are a tonnes of cases that are still waiting in the courts, and there are tonnes of files that are laying around. Why then won’t the reflection be the same if life is like that?” he questioned.
Dibyendu concurs that there are some shows with excessive bloodshed and that the creators should exercise self-censorship. “Yes, there can be too much blood and violence, he admitted. So, the producer and director should practise self-censorship. These issues are contentious for me as well. I’m not really sure what ought to occur, either. But things will become routine and dull if we continue to restrain ourselves in this manner.
Dibyendu has gained popularity in recent years as a result of his appearances in several web series, including Criminal Justice, Undekhi, Jamtara, Sacred Games, The Gone Game, Mirzapur, etc. He last appeared in Rocket Boys’ second season.
“Without a question, it (OTT) has been a very big boon for me,” he remarked. “There is more work coming in. The industry is now more focused on content. Because it wasn’t a box office-driven industry when it first started, producers and filmmakers weren’t under as much pressure to hire a celebrity. However, stars are now gradually entering the medium.”
Dibyendu responded, “I don’t feel good or negative about it. I’m fine with more and more huge performers entering the OTT space. I believe there are no boundaries in the arts; it is an enterprise. It is an artistic medium in which everyone can work. I can work here and you can’t, he continued, but that is not the situation here.
Article By Khushboo Singh