K Annamalai, a former IPS officer and founder of We The Leaders, has urged the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to strictly enforce film certification rules, citing the growing glorification of graphic violence and misogynistic themes in Indian cinema, particularly in films like 'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups'.
Annamalai highlighted the increasing exposure of younger audiences, including children, to extreme violence and objectification of women in age-restricted films, which he believes is detrimental to their development.
He emphasized that films featuring graphic violence, disturbing imagery, and misogynistic themes should be subjected to closer scrutiny during the certification process, rather than being automatically granted higher ratings.
Annamalai also questioned the effectiveness of age restrictions, suggesting that cinema owners should ensure that children are not allowed into films carrying an 'A' certificate, which is intended for mature audiences.
He argued that repeated exposure to bloody violence and regressive relationship dynamics could have a detrimental impact on younger viewers, who are increasingly being exposed to such content in films.
Annamalai's comments come at a time when some contemporary pan-India action films have faced criticism over increasingly brutal depictions of violence and darker themes, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of film certification rules.
