‘Bigg Boss’ allowed prime time slot but no obscenity

MUMBAI - The Bombay High Court Monday allowed reality TV show “Bigg Boss” to be aired at prime time slot of 9 p.m. but directed that “no obscene language and visuals, including beeps” will be allowed.

The court observed that the channel could air season 4 of “Bigg Boss” at 9 p.m. following an undertaking given by the petitioners Viacom18 that they would not screen any dialogue that is required to be beeped or any obscene gestures made by the participants.

They are also not to give out the footage of the show to news channels.

A vacation bench of Justice S.J. Kathawalla and Justice U.D. Salvi had earlier allowed Colors channel to air the show at 9 p.m. while directing the information and broadcast ministry (I&B) to file its reply.

Viacom18 Media Pvt Ltd last week filed a petition in the high court after the I&B ministry issued a fresh order, directing them to shift the show from the 9 p.m. slot to 11 p.m. slot as its content was objectionable and not fit for children.

On Dec 8, a division bench of the high court had directed the ministry to issue a fresh show-cause notice to the petitioners, giving specific material against which it had objections. The I&B ministry was also asked to pass an appropriate order only after hearing Viacom18’s reply.

Initially, the ministry had issued notice to Colors Nov 16, directing it to shift the reality show away from prime time as the show offended “good taste and decency”.

“Yes, we can now air the show on its original time of 9 p.m. The court has given this ruling,” a source from Colors channel told IANS.

“Bigg Boss” features a group of celebrity participants locked up in a house for three months without any access to the outside world, including to newspapers or television.