Yes, you read the title right. The Delhi High Court has indeed directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to explore the re-release of Shah Rukh Khan’s film, “Jawan,” on OTT platforms with enhanced accessibility features. This initiative, prompted by a plea from Akshat Baldwa advocating for improved accessibility for individuals with visual and hearing impairments, raises emphasis on the inclusion of features such as audio description, closed captioning, and subtitles in “Jawan” and the unreleased film “Hi Papa.”
Justice Prathiba M Singh, leading the court, stressed the importance of consulting with the producers of both films to ensure the incorporation of accessibility features in their respective OTT releases. Advocate Rahul Bajaj, representing the petitioner, proposed a practical approach, suggesting that replacing a particular copy of “Jawan” on OTT platforms with enhanced accessibility features is a feasible solution.
This verdict says a lot about the changing norms and inclusion of minorities that rarely get any kind of representation. The adaptability of OTT platforms, allowing for the relatively seamless integration of accessibility features, contrasts with the challenges faced in traditional theaters.
The scheduled consultation is on January 20, 2024, and the final hearing is on January 31, 2024, which is less than one month window.
Let’s see if Jawan paves the way for other films to follow this format.