Animal, Kill, Marco, Dhurandhar: Time for R-rating from censors for Indian films?
A new wave of gory hits is redefining mainstream cinema. With gory films like ‘Kill’, ‘Animal’ and ‘Marco’ drawing crowds and the trailer of ‘Dhurandhar’ promising unprecedented violence, is it time to recalibrate the censor norms?
Indian cinema is in the midst of a new wave of brutal action thrillers, and audiences are loving it. Movies like ‘Kill’, ‘Marco’ and ‘Animal’ and now the trailer of ‘Dhurandhar’ have started the discussion on whether such increasing violence is in danger of turning into glorification. After the trailer of Ranveer Singh’s upcoming action drama ‘Dhurandhar’ was released, the debate reignited, with many questioning how far mainstream cinema can push the boundaries of gore before demanding a higher R-rating system.
From the bone-crushing brutality of ‘Animal’ to the splatter-soaked swagger of ‘Marco’, and now the recently dropped ‘Dhurandhar trailer promises even more chaosMainstream cinema across different languages is fully embracing gore, and new age audiences are rejoicing.
These films adopt gritty, unrelenting violence, morally gray characters and layered narratives that demand both emotional and intellectual engagement, thus leaving a negative impact on society, especially the youth. While we are still grappling with such content, we wonder if Indian cinema needs extra ratings for its films.
India’s current certification system – which includes ‘U’, ‘U/A’ (with 7+ and 13+ variations), ‘A’ and ‘S’ (special audiences) – was never designed to deal with America’s ‘R’ rated films or South Korea’s ‘restricted 18’ wave. Over the years, Bollywood and the regional industry have largely stayed away from explicit gore, partly wary of censorship issues and partly due to audience preferences.
Has that taste changed now?
National Award-winning director Sudipto Sen believes Indian cinema now needs an R-rating scale, to protect young audiences and guide families more responsibly. The filmmaker believes that India is at a sensitive social crossroads and the recent trend of ultra-violent commercial cinema demands deeper scrutiny.
Speaking to IndiaToday.in, Sen says: “With regard to the R-rating system, yes, I think India needs it. In the West, R-rated, PG-13 and other categories exist for a reason. Here, we only have U, UA and A. A strict rating system can protect young audiences. Violent films can have a very harmful effect on children. Audience discretion is important, and the censor board needs to start thinking seriously about the new categories. Should.”
However, he says that filmmakers should have a sense of responsibility while showing violence in films. It’s a social responsibility that comes with his art, especially in a country that still grapples with social fragility, cultural conflict and impressionable audiences.
He said, “I strongly criticized the Filmfare (award) for ‘Kill’., With 23 major awards. To me, this shows a blatant disregard for the idea of responsible Indian cinema. The problem is that when the storytelling becomes weak, filmmakers resort to elements like sex or violence, things that do not get the approval or acceptance of the society at large. I am strongly against censorship, but I believe self-censorship is extremely important,” says Sen, whose works include ‘The Kerala Story’ and ‘Bastar: The Naxal Story’.
Sen is concerned about how violence has become a trend setter in cinema across languages. “The moment violence becomes a trend-setting business, people stop caring whether it’s connected to society, a story or an art form. ‘Animals, and ‘kill’, Violence has been glorified solely for the sake of making money, and now more films are simply following the same pattern. This attitude needs to change and the press should write more about it. Our society, by and large, does not accept such violence. Unlike Hollywood, where movies like ‘Kill Bill’, Or ‘Pulp Fiction’, Indian audiences, being mature, discerning audiences, do not always connect with violent cinema in the same way. Our audiences have different standards and interpretations. That’s why I have a serious problem with such films,” he says.
What is the reason for the surge in racketeering?
With films like ‘KGF’, And ‘Pushpa’, the filmmakers realized the audience Enjoy stylized violence, especially when paired With mythological valor portrayed by the male stars. Mass cinema is leaning more towards intensity and blood is part of the package. After watching the trailer of ‘Dhurandhar’, many viewers may be horrified by the mere thought of actual bloodshed. However, while Sudipto Sen is against such content, director Tejas Prabha Vijay Deuskar is.
As the debate over violence in Indian films heats up, Deuskar, who recently directed the action thriller ‘Ground Zero’, argues that the country does not need an R-rating system. With the debate intensifying after a series of gory action thrillers, he believes the existing CBFC categories already provide enough clarity for audiences, and creative freedom should not be compromised.
“People often ask whether India needs an R-rating, but I don’t think so. We already have 18+ ‘A’ certification under the CBFC, and that’s enough. How many more categories do we need to divide cinema into? Globally too, there is a growing debate about whether audiences and creators are being given enough freedom. While the CBFC provides ratings, some films still get the cut, so the conversation is just about introducing new labels. is more complex than that,” he tells IndiaToday.in.
“Personally, I believe the ‘A’ rating clearly tells audiences what kind of movie they’re in for. Television, meanwhile, introduces audiences, especially adults, to far more mature themes, and there’s no censorship in that space with regard to violence, whether it’s ‘Animal’, ‘Marco’,Or now ‘Dhurandhar’, filmmakers should have the creative freedom to portray their stories as per their imagination. If a director feels a certain level of extremeness is necessary, that choice should remain his. And honestly, is there any real difference between a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old in terms of understanding?” He says.
Looking at the recent incidents of violence in Indian films, we can say that the bloody train has already left the station, and judging by the latest trailers, it is gaining momentum.
Whether you celebrate, cringe, or roll your eyes, one thing is clear: the conversation about an R-rating isn’t overdue, it’s inevitable.