Gone are the days when filmmakers could easily produce movies like Border or Fighter. With growing scrutiny and the rise of controversies on social media, the landscape of filmmaking in India, especially regarding movies based on the army, has changed dramatically. Nowadays, the public isn’t just watching films for entertainment—they’re analyzing them for accuracy and raising questions about how the military and national pride are portrayed on screen.
In response to these concerns, the Indian Defence Ministry has tightened its grip on how filmmakers represent the country’s soldiers, and this is no small matter. This new regulation means that producing films about the army will be much harder moving forward, and filmmakers will have to clear several hurdles to avoid controversies. This development is largely due to a string of controversies, as many recent films and web series have been criticized for inaccurately portraying the Indian army or including inappropriate content.
Controversies Surrounding Movies Based on the Army
There have been several instances in the past where films and web series have stirred up trouble. Whether it was Ekta Kapoor’s web series XXX, which came under fire for a controversial scene involving an army officer’s uniform, or Netflix’s recent IC 814, which angered the public for naming terrorists with religiously sensitive names, the portrayal of the military has been a hot topic. People are increasingly sensitive about how soldiers are shown in these productions, and social media has amplified these voices.
One of the most discussed incidents was when Shahid Kapoor’s Haider was released. The movie faced backlash for depicting the Indian army in a negative light, and this controversy made headlines for weeks. Similarly, Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone’s movie Fighter sparked outrage for featuring a lip-lock scene at an Air Force base, which many people felt was disrespectful.
Due to these controversies, the Indian government has now introduced a new rule: Filmmakers must get explicit permission from the Defence Ministry before releasing any film, web series, or TV show that involves the army or national security.
New Guidelines: Filmmakers Must Seek Defence Ministry Approval
The Defence Ministry’s decision is aimed at preventing any disrespectful or inaccurate representation of the military. According to their latest notification, filmmakers are now required to get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Defence Ministry before even starting production. This means producers will have to run their scripts by military officials and ensure that the soldiers are portrayed in a dignified manner.
For filmmakers, this additional layer of approval is a significant change. It’s not just about securing filming locations at military bases or ensuring that the uniforms are accurately depicted. Now, the Defence Ministry wants to ensure that no element of the story lowers the morale of the soldiers or misrepresents the country’s defense forces.
One example of the controversy that sparked this new rule was Ekta Kapoor’s XXX Uncensored 2, where a particular scene caused outrage. The web series showed an army officer’s wife tearing his uniform and engaging in inappropriate behavior. This led to widespread protests and demands for stricter regulation, and eventually, the controversial scene was removed.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also recently summoned Netflix over the IC 814 web series, which received a lot of criticism for its portrayal of terrorists. Netflix later agreed to run the show with a disclaimer after the backlash. These incidents clearly show the need for more stringent regulations regarding how filmmakers handle sensitive topics like national security and the military.
Why Filmmakers Are Taking Extra Caution Now
In light of these controversies, filmmakers are now more cautious than ever. Siddharth Anand, the director of Pathaan and Fighter, recently spoke about the added responsibility that comes with making films about the military. He shared how careful he had to be while working on Fighter, knowing that the subject matter was deeply tied to the country’s defense forces.
Siddharth explained that he took every step of the filmmaking process seriously. From developing the story to getting the approval of the Air Force, he made sure to show the military in a respectful and accurate light. He went as far as to screen the movie for Air Force officials before it was released to the public, ensuring that the film met their standards.
“Even though the process has become more challenging, it’s important to present our soldiers and country in the right way,” Siddharth shared in an interview. “When you make a film about the army, it’s your responsibility as a filmmaker to honor them and their sacrifice.”
Impact of the Defence Ministry’s Decision on Filmmaking
This move by the Defence Ministry is not just about curbing inappropriate content but also about maintaining national pride. Film experts like Narendra Gupta believe that this is a justified decision, as films and web series can have a significant impact on the general public’s perception of the military. “Movies can influence how people think about the army, and if something is shown wrong, it can harm how the public views our soldiers,” Gupta stated.
He also added that with social media platforms giving everyone a voice, any misrepresentation in films spreads rapidly. This is why it is now essential for filmmakers to think carefully before portraying the army or using military themes in their stories. The Defence Ministry’s new guidelines are designed to prevent any harm to the image of the country or the military at both national and international levels.
Moving forward, filmmakers will have to consider the added responsibility that comes with creating films about the military. They will have to go through a thorough vetting process to ensure that nothing disrespectful or misleading is shown. With these new regulations in place, we may see fewer movies like Border and Fighter—but when they do get made, they will likely be more accurate and respectful representations of the Indian army.
For filmmakers, this adds another layer of complexity to the already difficult task of creating compelling stories. But for the nation, it ensures that the image of our soldiers remains untarnished on the big screen.
