Ekta Kapoor, Prasoon Joshi welcome OTT Guidelines

The Government of India has come up with new guidelines for OTT platforms. The move has got mixed response. Film personalities such as Ekta Kapoor, Prasoon Joshi have welcomed them, while some have voiced their concerns.

Ekta Kapoor welcoming the guidelines tweeted,

“Heartening to see the new guidelines that provide a level playing field for digital news media and OTT platforms. #ResponsibleFreedom”

CBFC chairperson and lyricist Prasoon Joshi Tweeted: 
"Measures taken for a level playing field and empowering consumers would provide clarity for content creators of emerging platforms. Responsible and accountable mechanisms will only bring in more quality and maturity in a commercial creative industry."


The government has issued a ”code of ethics” and a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism that would be applicable for OTT platforms, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar, news publishers, and digital media.

Seeking to establish a soft-touch regulatory framework, the government said OTT platforms would have to self-classify the content into five age-based categories – U (Universal), U/A 7+ (years), U/A 13+, U/A 16+, and A (Adult).

The streamers have been self-regulating their content as per Indian laws until recently but some of the shows have stirred controversy, most recently Amazon Prime Video’s show Tandav, which was accused of hurting religious sentiments.

A scene in the show led to multiple FIRs on directors, actors and the India head of the platform, prompting the streamer to chop the scenes from the political drama.

Other shows that have angered a section of the public include Netflix’s 'Leila' and 'A Suitable Boy' and Amazon’s Paatal Lok.