In the just-released Ajay Devgn Diwali dhamaka Son Of Sardaar a lengthy stunt involving Devgn on a horse and a villainish supporting actor on a mo'bike carries a ticker- warning saying the stunts were generated through computer graphics.
Contrary to belief, the unprecedented move of warning audiences off the stunts was not a censorial demand.
A source close to the censorboard protests, `This statutory warning that accompanies the stunts in Son Of Sardaar has nothing to with the CBFC. Since it involves a horse the Animal Welfare Board asked for it. The makers had no choice but to comply. `
Be as it might, if major action sequences in films have to be accompanied by statutory warnings, who would take these stunts seriously?
Says a leading producer, `I haven't seen Son Of Sardaar yet. But if they've been asked to insert a warning in one of Ajay's stunts then I am really scared for movies.
If a character is smoking we've to warn against cancer. If the hero is performing daring stunts we've to declare they are computer-generated. Next, if the heroine cries we may have to declare the tears are glycerine-induced. What happens to the magic of the movies?`