Watch: Amitabh Bachchan talks about freedom of speech and moral policing

As the ‘boycott’ trend grows in Bollywood with each new release, Amitabh Bachchan spoke about freedom of expression and civil liberties.

He made the comment while speaking at the inauguration of 28th edition Kolkata International Film Festival. Bachchan made an extensive mention of censhorship and regulation of content in his speech

Comparing the nature of censorship in colonial and post colonial days, the veteran actor pointed that even today questions are being raised on civil liberties and freedom of expressions.

He went on to describe the changing nature of cinema and highlighted how the subjects have changed over the years. The veteran actor said that the 'current brand of historicals couched in jingoism, along with moral policing has kept the audiences reflecting on the politics and social concerns of our times'

Bachchan's remarks assume significance in view of the latest protests against Shah Rukh Khan's film 'Pathaan'.

Bachchan spoke at length on evolution of censorship in India. He said that the policing of Indian Cinema grew exasperatingly stringent in the 1940s and it was the 1952 Cinematograph Act that set out the structure of censhorship as it stands today upheld by the film certification board.

Also watch: Shah Rukh Khan's 'positivity' message amid 'Pathaan' protests

Talking about the history of censorship, Bachchan said the film censorship was 'born out of a raging fire and into the consequent clamping down on human rights'.

The megastar also made a mention of the Indian Cinematograph committee of 1927- 28, which was the first enquiry into movie viewing, censoring and exhibiting habits in the country.

Bachchan along with actor Shahrukh Khan inaugurated the film festival in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Governor C V Ananda Bose, his wife Jaya Bachchan, former India cricket skipper Sourav Ganguly among others.

An exhibition on the 80-year-old legendary actor's life and works will be showcased during the film festival, with the inaugural movie being 'Abhimaan'.

A total of 183 movies will be screened in 10 theatres across the city from December 16-22.

(With PTI inputs)