Kamal calls for self-regulation, unrestricted trade

Kamal Haasan has called for censorship by the film industry itself without the government having to get involved. "I dream of one day where we can censor ourselves and the government will not have to get involved," he said while speaking at a one-day seminar on "Indian Cinema, Winds of Change" in Chennai.

The Indo American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) along with the Madras Film Society (MFS) and US Consulate General Public Affairs Section at Park Sheraton Hotel had organized the seminar on July 14. MFS president Abhirami Ramanathan was the convener.

Kamal Haasan, in his keynote address, stressed the urgent need for the film industry to "gets its act together" by improving its infrastructure, increasing transparency to counter the black market and learning how to self-regulate.

Pointing out that a lack of organization is holding back the development of the industry, he said, "Through various regulations and callousness, we have created a black market that is eating away at our revenues. We need greater vertical integration and self-regulation."

He further stressed that the industry needs more transparency in arrangements with distributors. It is 'greed' that is eating into the industry and "the revenue fountainhead is drying up". The government also needs to take steps to improve infrastructure and change its stance on regulation and censorship.

"The Government could also be what is eating into us. They often make signs of encouragement and help, but what we require is unrestricted trade. This should not be treated as a special industry. We will ourselves be careful and self-regulate," he said.

US Consul-General David Hopper said the success of "Sivaji" and "Harry Potter" "reminds us of the power of cinema and the internationalization of film."

IACC vice-president Farok Balsara said the success of the film industry would ultimately depend on its ability to collaborate globally, develop new technologies, increase the level of industrialization and redefine paradigms of censorship. IACC chairman R. Anand and Abhirami Ramanathan are among the other speakers. Several film personalities participated in the seminar.