Are Sleaze Content An Easy Way To Attract Viewers On New OTT Platforms?

Actress Neha Dhupia once said "Either sex sells or Shah Rukh Khan" in the Hindi film industry and the same views have been echoed by many others at different times and on different occasions.

Are Sleaze Content An Easy Way To Attract Viewers On New OTT Platforms?
More recently, businessman Raj Kundra, husband of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, said, "Only two things work in Bollywood and this country, Shah Rukh Khan and sex." It has to be noted that booked last year by the Mumbai police in connection with the alleged creation and uploading of pornographic films on mobile applications.

Not surprisingly, three more OTT platforms - Hunters, Besharams and Prime Play - have come to the spotlight this week after the Information and Broadcasting Ministry directly sent notices to three OTT platforms, asking them to take down vulgar content, according to a report in Indian Express.

What's In the 3 Platforms?

All three platforms, which are run by Webworld Multimedia Private Limited, are packed with semi-porn content filled with vulgarity. It offers plenty of content for free for registered users. Hence, the ministry, for the first time, invoked laws pertaining to vulgarity against any OTT platform after examining the content on the platform. The government has given five days to respond.

Going by the IE report, there are only 57 duly registered OTT platforms. However, many complaints have been filed against those registered companies. The company has told the publication that it will review the content.

Not these platforms, there are many OTT sites which produce questionable content.

What's The Stand Of Self-Regulatory Body On The Issue?

Two weeks ago, the self-regulatory body for OTT platforms urged its members to avoid unnecessary vulgarity and abusive content as well as sensitise production houses about the same.

Digital Media Content Regulatory Council (DMCRC) chairperson Justice (retired) Mukul Mudgal said that OTT platforms need to consistently adhere with the self-regulatory framework and stay within its sacrosanct boundaries.

"The council is of the firm view that it is desirable that OTT platforms continue keeping the sensibilities of our diverse society and culture in mind while producing content," Mudgal said.

Disney+Hotstar, Zee5, SonyLiv, Jio Cinema, Voot, Manorama Max, Sun Nxt, Discovery+, Yupp TV, Nee Stream and Fancode are member OTT platforms of the DMCRC.

He recommended that member platforms practice prudence and responsibility in content creation, engage in self-reflection to bolster the structure and overall operations of OTT platforms, and refrain from incorporating unnecessary vulgarity and abusive content without justification.

The DMCRC also urged member OTT platforms to conduct regular meetings with content creators and production houses, fostering awareness and ensuring that content aligns with the self-regulation framework, including the Code of Ethics.

Additionally, the DMCRC called on OTT platforms to establish an easily accessible system for addressing content-related grievances and implement access controls, empowering consumers to make content choices with full awareness and understanding.

It may be recalled that the Delhi High Court had earlier said framing rules and guidelines to regulate the content on social media and OTT platforms need urgent attention.

It had underlined the need to take seriously the use of vulgar language in public domain and on social media platforms which are open to children of tender age.

Coming down heavily on the language used in TVF web series 'College Romance', the high court had said the use of obscenities in the form of foul language degrades women so they may feel victims as the expletives and obscenities refer to women being objects of sex.