Ban On Film Reviews – “Not Possible” says the court

Placing a ban on film reviews is next to impossible but still some producers aim to achieve it. In a similar move, the Tamil Film Active Producers Association approached Madras High Court, requesting a ban on theatrical reviews for three days of the release. Justice N Anand Venkatesh made it very clear that the producers are trying to seek something that is impossible to happen and is far from reality.

The justice has made it clear that he cannot restrict the opinions and reviews from flowing. He mentioned that banning reviews, whether they are good or bad is secondary but it will violate the fundamental right of freedom of speech in the first place.

Platforms like Youtube, X, Facebook and others are also covered under freedom of speech and they cannot practically put a ban on the reviews. The judge also commented that if the producers are hoping only for positive reviews, then they should accept the reality and not seek something that is possible.

“The relief sought for by them in the present writ petition is unsustainable and cannot be granted by this court,” he observed dictating orders in the court.

Additionally, the judge also commented that how can he stop someone posting a review from a different country like Azerbaijan. In the same context, he even mentioned that people also share opinions on judges on social media and he faced criticism as well.

“Just because someone criticises a film doesn’t mean others will blindly follow. Opinions differ from person to person,” he said.

Now, this is a major blow to the producers of Telugu film industry who were also planning to implement something similar. India is a democratic country and placing a ban on sharing reviews and opinions is silly, irrelevant and insignificant. Instead the producers must focus on real problems than running after problems that hardly make any difference.