In India, the Ministry of Defence has mandated that any filmmaker or producer seeking to create content related to the Indian Army must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) before the content can be released. This applies to all forms of content, including movies, television series, web series, and documentaries.
The main reason behind this requirement is to ensure that the portrayal of the Indian Army in any such content is accurate and respectful. The Indian Army is a highly respected institution in the country and is held in high regard by the people. Any depiction of the Army that is inaccurate or disrespectful could be seen as insulting and could harm the reputation of the institution.
The No Objection Certificate is a certification that is issued by the Ministry of Defence after a careful review of the content by a committee of experts. The committee evaluates the content to ensure that it is accurate and does not contain any objectionable material that could harm the image of the Indian Army. Once the content is approved, the NOC is issued, and the content can be released to the public.
Filmmakers and producers who wish to create content related to the Indian Army must apply for the NOC well in advance of the planned release date. The application process involves submitting a detailed synopsis of the content, along with the script and other relevant information. The application is then reviewed by the Ministry of Defence, and if necessary, the committee may ask for additional information or changes to the content.
It is important to note that the requirement for an No Objection Certificate is not limited to Indian filmmakers or producers. Foreign filmmakers and producers who wish to create content related to the Indian Army must also obtain an NOC before the content can be released. This is to ensure that the portrayal of the Indian Army is accurate and respectful in all content related to it, regardless of the origin of the content.
The NOC requirement has been in place for several years now, and many filmmakers and producers have successfully obtained the certification for their content related to the Indian Army. However, there have been instances where the NOC has been denied or delayed due to concerns over the accuracy or portrayal of the Indian Army in the content.
In some cases, filmmakers and producers have also been asked to make changes to the content before the NOC is issued. These changes may include removing or toning down certain scenes, dialogues, or characters that could be seen as objectionable or inaccurate. However, the Ministry of Defence has maintained that these changes are made only to ensure that the portrayal of the Indian Army is accurate and respectful in all content related to it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the requirement for an NOC from the Ministry of Defence before releasing content related to the Indian Army is a necessary step to ensure that the portrayal of the institution is accurate and respectful. Filmmakers and producers who wish to create such content should be aware of the requirement and should apply for the NOC well in advance of the planned release date to avoid any delays or denials.