"There is a disturbing trend of increasing censorships, which in the long-run is likely to undo a lot of gains were made in the past few decades. Can more and more censorships help our creative minds respond to the pace of rapid technological changes and evolution in creativity? "Ironically, while the world gets bolder, our censor authorities are getting more and more conservative," Shankar said.Referring to the hooliganism on the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansalis movie "Padmavati" in Jaipur and Kolhapur recently, he said, it seems the Censor Board is reflecting the dominant consensus of our society, while there are more and more self-appointed bodies, who have volunteered the task of censoring media and entertainment content. "What is more alarming is that increasingly even the very fora that we’d seek redressal from are more inclined to bless the street-side censorship than speak for the freedom of expression," Shankar rued.

Times are such that even after the Censor Board nod we’ve been forced to screen movies to particular group or two to ensure they are correctly depicted, he said, adding such a demand was made for the Akshay Kumar starrer "Jolly LLB-2", by wherein we were forced to screen it to a group of lawyers and doctors before the public screening.

"This was despite the movie had been certified for universal release by the board. And this is just one example. There is a long list of instances where the creative community has been bullied into changing its output to suit the needs of someone or the other," he said.

Shankar lamented that "the most worrying part is that creative minds have begun to self-censor their thoughts and have started killing ideas before they germinate so as to avoid any conflict. And this is really frightening." On the call for censorship in the online space, he said the Internet was supposed to create greater plurality of opinions, but "instead it has created a violent polarity and punishment for disagreement has become the norm now".

"There seems to be no room left to have civil debates and no place for disagreements. Punishment for disagreement has become the norm. Institutions tasked with protecting freedom of expression and plurality seem to be at loggerheads with the very objective itself," Shankar concluded.

(with inputs from PTI)

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Though Shoojit is vastly known for his slice-of-life dramas like "Piku" and "Vicky Donor", the director has often touched political issues with movies like "Madras Cafe" and his debut "Yahaan".

When quizzed if it is getting tough to make films today, where a certain section of people might take offence and cause hindrance to the project, Shoojit said it is definitely the case.

"It is becoming difficult but you have to be brave. We are no outsiders. We are a citizen of this country. I eat the same rice that you eat. We are of the same mitti. You can't be more patriotic than me," Shoojit told PTI.

"I as a filmmaker and a citizen have a responsibility but you can't tell me 'don't do this or that,'" he added.

The National award winning director feels it is unfortunate when people take law in their hands.

"This is democratic India, you have every right to protest, but I have every right to make a film. You have every right but come at a platform and talk to me. Don't break glasses, don't force anything," he said.

Shoojit says the best way forward is to follow the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court and not cause troubles to anyone.

"There is a court of law, an open platform. Come and talk. Let's debate but you can't stop anyone going to theatres.

"Supreme Court has given a judgment last to last year to one of the films saying, if it offends you don't watch the film. Now what can be bigger than Supreme Court's judgment?"

Shoojit, however, also says filmmakers need to apply "self censorship" from their end rather than having the same being enforced by a third party.

"There are many incidents where filmmakers have destroyed their own situation. That's why I always say self censorship is very important. By the industry it is very important rather than the one by anybody else. So you have to be brave."

His upcoming production "Running Shaadi.com" is up for release on February 17 and he is currently working on his next directorial, a biopic on revolutionary Udham Singh. He is also busy scripting a love story with "Vicky Donor" writer Juhi Chaturvedi.

"There are a couple of more films which I know are going to raise a lot of questions but I am not bothered about it," he said
 

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