The Tamil Film Active Producers Association (TFAPA) has approached the Madras High Court with a petition to restrict online movie reviews for three days following a film’s theatrical release. They seek a directive for both central and state governments to impose this ban on social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).
Reason Behind the Petition
The move comes amidst concerns that early negative reviews are harming big-budget Tamil films at the box office. Recent examples, such as Kanguva, Indian 2, and Vettaiyan, have reportedly struggled due to immediate unfavorable feedback online. TFAPA argues that these reviews not only impact revenue but also promote personal hate speech against filmmakers under the pretext of criticism.
Guidelines for Critics
TFAPA has requested the formulation of strict guidelines for online reviewers, ensuring constructive criticism that focuses on the film rather than targeting individuals. The association condemned personal attacks and incitement of hostility disguised as reviews.
TNPC’s Recommendations
On November 20, the Tamil Nadu Producers Council (TNPC) urged theatre owners to prohibit YouTube channels from recording reviews inside cinema halls. They highlighted the misuse of social platforms, which often leads to unwarranted hostility against producers, directors, and actors.
While respecting critics’ freedom of expression, both TFAPA and TNPC emphasize the need for responsible reviewing to safeguard the interests of the film industry.
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