I'm against censorship: Aamir

Aamir Khan clears his stand on his problems with the infamous AIB Roast and his views on morality and censorship.

AIB Roast opinion

I respect everyone's opinion. For me freedom of speech and expression is an important right and should be protected at all costs. But I also feel that freedom comes with responsibility which should be self-exercised. It's unfortunate that caught between the right-wing fascists and the 'no-holds-barred' faction, the moderates are in danger of losing their voice. I'm aware that if you sign up for the Roast, you sign up to insult each other. But, in this case, even those who hadn't signed up were being targeted, like Farida Jalal, Reema Lagoo and a beautiful, young girl I love dearly.

A young girl in question and violence

The young girl whom I've known since she was a kid, was the butt of racist and sexist jokes. She did not even know that a live audience was watching this and couldn't protect herself. That is unfair! This is what I meant when I described the show as "violent". Films which depict violence are fictional but this young girl is real. So, my reaction was more emotional than moralistic. I wasn't objecting to the use of expletives or adult jokes. If two consenting adults wish to insult each other, that's their problem. But you can't go around attacking anyone you feel like. That is no different from the physical violence we see around us and object to. And when someone uses the words "shut up", it makes me believe that these people are certainly not a part of the group that is for freedom of speech.

Stand on PK and Delhi Belly

As I said, I have no moral issues with the use of expletives in content that is meant for adults. When we made Delhi Belly we were making a film which was meant for an adult certification. In P.K., I play an alien and they don't wear clothes on his planet. For me, there's no vulgarity in nudity. That is how we are born into this world.

Censorship issue

I'm against censorship. Instead I think we should have a rating system. Nobody should have the right to delete what a person wants to express. But you can rate it and say that the content may not be appropriate for persons below a certain age group. The present rating is confusing, U/A is too vague a term. As a parent when I take my child to the theatre I'd be more reassured if I had a rating on a film like Parental Guidance (PG 12), Parental Guidance (PG 15) or 18 and above. That clearly tells me that the content is not recommended for a child below this age. Also, we need to move with the times. Today, even the biggest of blockbusters like 3 Idiots or P.K. (content which is censored) is watched in the theatres by only 3 per cent of the population of India, while 60-70 per cent of the population, with mobile connectivity even in remote areas, has access to uncensored content on their smart phones. In this fast-changing scenario, censorship has become redundant. I feel the Rating System would serve our filmmakers and audience better.

Box office numbers

Figures are an indicator that your film has been liked and that is reassuring, more so in the case of films like P.K. that is not your typical mainstream cinema with romance and action. For the last 15 years, I've been challenging myself and my audience with Sarfarosh, Lagaan, Dil Chahta Hai, Rang De Basanti, Taare Zameen Par, 3 Idiots and P.K.

The potentially 'safe' films like Fanaa, Ghajini and Dhoom 3 have been few and far between. For me the journey is as important as the destination. I have to enjoy myself through the two years of the making of a film. But, I admit, I feel extremely vulnerable when my films are close to release as I'm never sure of the audience's reaction.