Imphal, September 14: While asserting that it would be negative to put a total ban on digital films, the proscribed UNLF has nevertheless stated that there is a need to reform the digital films being churned out in Manipur.

In a statement issued to the press, the outfit said that films and songs are two of the most popular performing arts the world over.

The reach and influence of films is wide and it is the perfect medium to portray and highlight one's culture and identity.

On the other hand films are also known to have an impact on other people's culture and dilute the culture of another people.

On the lighter side films are also a means of entertainment, it added.

Bollywood inspired Hindi films are today the biggest influence on the people of Manipur.

As such majority of the films, whether celluloid or digital, produced in Manipur are influenced by Bollywood films ranging from the tune of the songs, its picturisations etc.

The number of films which are firmly wedded to the culture of the land are only a few, said UNLF.

The films produced in Manipur have gone beyond just aping the masala of Hindi films but also in the manner in which the actors are made to dress up, behave etc.

Citing an example, UNLF said that in Hindi films married women are portrayed as sporting a Mangal Sutra and a sindoor on the forehead.

Likewise, in Manipuri films too, married women are portrayed with sindoors, sarees, Mangal Sutra, sindoor and nose rings etc.

Even after the advent of Hinduism this was not something practised in Manipur, the outfit noted.

This blind aping of an alien culture is a direct fall out of the people not knowing their true identity and reflects a confused state of mind.

As such there is the pressing need to discuss the matter deeply and see how things can be set right.

Digital film producers, directors, script writers and the artistes should give serious thought to this, it added.

Despite the need to reform digital films currently being produced, it would be wrong and negative to totally ban such films, asserted UNLF.

Banning the films is not the solution as the loss will only be the people's.Though Hindi films have been banned in Manipur, people continue to watch such films on VCDs.

It is also impossible to stop satellite channels.

Given this reality the need is to make everyone understand the core issue, said UNLF and added that instead of banning the films, it would be more productive to bring them on the right path and make them bring out films which correctly portrays the Manipuri society and its culture.

It is also important to make the film people realise the need to produce films which the while family can watch together in their leisure time and teach the youngsters of the value of respect and dignity.

The actual need of the time is a full fledged cultural policy of the State and not some ad-hoc policies for digital films or film albums, said the outfit.

The learned people of the land should come together and see how such a policy may be worked out.

Seen in the context of the reasons spelt out it would be right for the KCP (P) to withdraw its decision to ban digital films from September 16, said UNLF.

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