Have you wondered which was the first A-rated Bollywood film in India and why it received the A certification? Well, the answer may surprise you!
Hanste Aansoo, despite being a family comedy, received the A certification since it was ‘too feminist.’ According to the authorities, the movie included double-meaning jokes, a married woman working in a factory, and topics including domestic abuse.
and why it received the A certification? Well, the answer may surprise you! Hanste Aansoo, despite being a family comedy, received the A certification since it was ‘too feminist.’ According to the authorities, the movie included double-meaning jokes, a married woman working in a factory, andThe ‘A’ category of films was added when the Indian Cinematograph Act (1918) was revised in December 1949. The movie Hanste Aansoo (1950), starring 15-year-old Madhubala and Motilal, was the first to be awarded an ‘A’ certificate. Why was Hanste Aansoo given an A rating?
The certificate for the movie was given for two reasons. The first was the movie’s title, Hanste Aansoo (Laughing Tears), which at the time was thought to have a double meaning. The second reason was its daring plot, especially given the period. The movie showed a modern lady struggling for her rights in an era when women were expected to be obedient to their husbands and limited to domestic duties.
The plot centers on Usha, a well-educated girl whose father is an alcoholic and marries her to an illiterate man, Kumar. Since Kumar cannot read or write, he becomes envious of Usha’s knowledge and her honest demeanor. The persistent mistreatment she experiences at home drives her to leave the house and start advocating for women’s rights. After giving birth to a son, she begins working in a factory where she is gradually subjugated by the male employees. Following several comedic and dramatic sequences, the movie closes with Kumar expressing his regret to Usha and her going back to his home.
The movie was ‘termed’ controversial because of its depiction of Usha as a strong, independent woman who leaves her husband and goes to work in a factory full of male workers. Adding to the fuel of controversy was the fact that her husband apologized to her. Can you imagine how absurd this reason seems right now?
Madhubala’s character represents so many women who submitted to domestic violence at that time. It was a brave depiction, and even rejection, of a time when women were restricted to housework, were expected to be completely submitted to their spouses and had no freedom for education or work.
Some critics felt the film contained nothing objectionable and accused the Indian Censor Board of being overly prudish and witless. Despite the A certificate, owing to Madhubala’s widespread media coverage and box office success at that time, Hanste Aansoo was a well-received film that played in full theatres for several weeks. However, the movie did not turn out to be as successful as anticipated, and trade media blamed the Adult certification for it since the A certification kept family audiences at bay.
Now that we have explored the storyline and controversy of India’s first A-rated film, here is a look at some A-rated Bollywood films you can explore.
1. AnimalAnimal, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Sandeep Reddy Vanga, has become one of the top-grossing A-rated movies in the nation, having reached the Rs 300 crore club in just six days. The plot revolves around a son who goes through a dramatic transformation as he gets possessed by a desire for vengeance against those who endanger his father’s life. The film received an A certificate for its violence and gore.
Also Checkout – 10 Bollywood Directors Whose First Movie Entered The 100 Crore Club
2. Kabir SinghThe film Kabir Singh features strong feelings along with mature subjects, including violence and drug abuse. As a result, it is only advised for mature audiences. It’s surprising that, despite being aggressive and hostile, it somehow still managed to enter the family area.
3. The Kashmir FilesThe Kashmir Files, a controversial film about the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the valley, sparked controversy because it was classified as a ‘drama,’ which signifies that the film is not wholly based on the historical events that led to the flight of Kashmiri Pandits from the valley.
4. Udta PunjabIn the dark drama Udta Punjab, the drug misuse crisis in Punjab is brought to light. It uses the stories of a rock singer, a migrant worker, a doctor, and a police officer to illustrate the rise in drug misuse among young people. The film has caused controversy in India because of its severe topic and gritty descriptions.
5. Matrubhoomi: A Nation Without WomenThis 2003 dystopian tragedy, which was given an A rating because it discussed gender balance in a fictitious future, is not for the faint of heart. This movie is an unsettling tale of female infanticide, male chauvinism, and mistreatment of Indian women. It shows the life of a woman who is compelled to marry five brothers because there aren’t enough women in the village.
So, you now have the history of the first A-rated Bollywood film, along with some other recent A-rated Indian films. Get streaming!