Alarming Surge in Online Vulgar Content
The Chronify
Since the inception of OTT platforms in Bangladesh, they have become a new creative space for artists and producers. Here, there are no restrictions, and the absence of censorship allows for bold and unconventional storytelling.
However, this freedom comes with challenges. In trying to tell bold stories, many creators often portray exaggerated and overly explicit scenes on camera. According to the producers, these scenes are essential to the story.
But in Bangladesh’s social and cultural context, such scenes are perceived as obscene. Since the beginning, many contents have faced such accusations. Discussions and debates on this issue have taken place across social media and mainstream media alike. Producers and platform authorities have reacted strongly, and many have demanded that OTT platforms be brought under censorship regulations.
While there is a Film Censorship Board for movies, online content has remained outside its jurisdiction. Due to this lack of regulation, many series and films include obscene dialogues, violence, or political insinuations. Viewers complain that such content is unsuitable for family viewing. On the other hand, some argue that this very freedom is the charm of OTT platforms; without it, OTT content would be no different from TV dramas.
Producers find themselves in a dilemma. On one hand, they want to tell stories freely, but on the other, fear of censorship forces them to cut or modify their stories. According to them, “If censorship is enforced, there will be no difference between web series and television dramas.”
At one time, obscenity was even used as a tactic to attract viewers to web series and films in the country. Early on, many contents were flooded with obscene scenes. Contents like ‘Boomerang’, ‘Sadarghater Tiger’, and ‘August 14’ faced heavy criticism. Due to the backlash, the first two were removed from apps, and some scenes of ‘August 14’ were edited. The latter is now also available on YouTube.
Criticism has not spared popular series such as ‘Takdir’, ‘Kaiser’, and ‘Unoloukik’ either. These series depicted dark aspects of real life, offering viewers a new experience. Amid ongoing discussions and criticism, producers began exercising caution.
Over the past two years, the use of obscene dialogues and scenes has significantly decreased. However, during the recent Eid-ul-Adha, the OTT series ‘Paap Kahini’, directed by Shahriar Nazim Joy (who also starred in it alongside Runa Khan, Moushumi Mou, Tanjia Mithila, among others), sparked fresh controversy for obscenity. Some scenes in the series are not suitable for family viewing. It seems the makers focused more on obscene dialogues and explicit scenes rather than the story, script, or cinematography.
Short video clips from the series quickly spread on social media after its release, raising questions about how long OTT platforms will remain unregulated.
Looking at international platforms, India recently banned 25 OTT platforms and related mobile apps, including ALT Balaji, Ullu, and Big Shots, citing obscenity allegations. The Indian government accused these platforms of showing objectionable advertisements and obscene content for years, which had a severe impact on public sentiment.
Officials told Indian media that the bans were due to serious violations of digital content laws. Investigations found sexually suggestive scenes, nudity, and explicit sexual acts in videos and web series on these platforms, which authorities classified as pornographic in nature.
But in Bangladesh’s social and cultural context, such scenes are perceived as obscene. Since the beginning, many contents have faced such accusations. Discussions and debates on this issue have taken place across social media and mainstream media alike. Producers and platform authorities have reacted strongly, and many have demanded that OTT platforms be brought under censorship regulations.
While there is a Film Censorship Board for movies, online content has remained outside its jurisdiction. Due to this lack of regulation, many series and films include obscene dialogues, violence, or political insinuations. Viewers complain that such content is unsuitable for family viewing. On the other hand, some argue that this very freedom is the charm of OTT platforms; without it, OTT content would be no different from TV dramas.
Producers find themselves in a dilemma. On one hand, they want to tell stories freely, but on the other, fear of censorship forces them to cut or modify their stories. According to them, “If censorship is enforced, there will be no difference between web series and television dramas.”
At one time, obscenity was even used as a tactic to attract viewers to web series and films in the country. Early on, many contents were flooded with obscene scenes. Contents like ‘Boomerang’, ‘Sadarghater Tiger’, and ‘August 14’ faced heavy criticism. Due to the backlash, the first two were removed from apps, and some scenes of ‘August 14’ were edited. The latter is now also available on YouTube.
Criticism has not spared popular series such as ‘Takdir’, ‘Kaiser’, and ‘Unoloukik’ either. These series depicted dark aspects of real life, offering viewers a new experience. Amid ongoing discussions and criticism, producers began exercising caution.
Over the past two years, the use of obscene dialogues and scenes has significantly decreased. However, during the recent Eid-ul-Adha, the OTT series ‘Paap Kahini’, directed by Shahriar Nazim Joy (who also starred in it alongside Runa Khan, Moushumi Mou, Tanjia Mithila, among others), sparked fresh controversy for obscenity. Some scenes in the series are not suitable for family viewing. It seems the makers focused more on obscene dialogues and explicit scenes rather than the story, script, or cinematography.
Short video clips from the series quickly spread on social media after its release, raising questions about how long OTT platforms will remain unregulated.
Looking at international platforms, India recently banned 25 OTT platforms and related mobile apps, including ALT Balaji, Ullu, and Big Shots, citing obscenity allegations. The Indian government accused these platforms of showing objectionable advertisements and obscene content for years, which had a severe impact on public sentiment.
Officials told Indian media that the bans were due to serious violations of digital content laws. Investigations found sexually suggestive scenes, nudity, and explicit sexual acts in videos and web series on these platforms, which authorities classified as pornographic in nature.
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