Don't blame films for rapes, says director Bela Sehgal

Director of "The Dirty Picture " Milan
Luthria feels that it is not correct to
blame films for such rape and
related crimes.
"I think it is unfair to make such an
allegation about movies and songs. I
take great offence. We need to look
at our society and culture and how
we live. Let's focus on real issues,"
Luthria told IANS.
Giving a woman's perspective, "Shirin
Farhad ki Toh Nikal Padi" director
Bela Sehgal feels it is important to
inculcate a feeling of respect for
women in boys from a young age.
"How can you rape a woman when it
is a woman who gives birth to you,"
she said.
Even though Sehgal feels that movies
are a reflection of the society, they
can't be blamed for brutal sexual
crime.
"Films are a reflection of how our
society is. But I have not seen such a
gruesome rape in any film. It is very
shocking, but I don't think films can
be blamed," she said.
Of course, violence and murders
shown on the screen give ideas to
people. Those who raped the 23-
year-old in Delhi were psychopaths,
she said.
Psychologist Neha Patel agrees with
the general perception that television
and films do influence people. She
feels that a vivid display of the
consequences of rape can help in
reducing such crime.
"We have seen how ads send out
subtle messages. When films show
rape scenes, they often focus on the
suffering of the girl instead of
showing the consequences borne by
the man," she said.
"If this is shown, it might inculcate a
feeling of fear in men... a visual
depiction of consequences is very
important."
With item numbers becoming a must
in every film, "Goal" director Vivek
Agnihotri feels that songs with sexual
innuendos do effect the psyche of
people.
"More than rape scenes it's the
subliminal messages which affect the
psyche. These come from perverted
songs, dances, gestures, dialogues
which are meant to titillate the
audience," Agnihotri told IANS.
"Very often I find our movies
crossing that line. Why just movies?
Even in school functions and birthday
parties 10-year-olds dance with
vulgar movements on vulgar lyrics."