Respecting Values: Rohit Shetty Discusses Maintaining Cultural Sensitivity in 'Indian Police Force' Web Series

Filmmaker Rohit Shetty, renowned for blockbuster hits like Golmaal, Singham, and Sooryavanshi, is poised to make his streaming debut with the web series 'Indian Police Force.' Speaking on a recent podcast with Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa, Shetty delves into his decision to eschew explicit content in the series, emphasizing a deep respect for Indian culture.

Cultural Sensitivity Amid Creative Freedom

Despite the creative freedom often afforded by streaming platforms, Shetty deliberately opted against incorporating sex scenes or hints of vulgarity in 'Indian Police Force.' Providing insights during the podcast, he explained, "There are a few cuss words in a couple of episodes, that too because the characters are cops, that’s why. Other than that, no sex, no vulgarity. Our Indian culture is different."

Commitment to Audience Comfort

Expressing his commitment to keeping his core audience comfortable, Shetty stated, "Those who are making it are not doing anything wrong, but mujhe apni core audience ko uncomfortable nahi karna hai (I don’t want to make my core audience uncomfortable)." This decision aligns with his understanding of the importance of family-friendly content, a lesson he learned after the release of his film Chennai Express.

Learning from Chennai Express

"After Chennai Express, I was at the airport where a lady came to me and thanked me. She said, 'Thank you very much. I have a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, and there is a time in the day where I have to finish household work, and that is the time when she wakes up. So, I put Chennai Express on.' That is when I learned this," Shetty revealed.

Navigating the Digital Transition

Addressing the transition to the digital space, Shetty shared, "When we did OTT, we knew that we did not want any sex scenes or vulgarity. We didn’t want to go overboard because censor is not there. I want Sooryavanshi’s audience to come and watch this show. That discomfort should not be there."

Star-Studded 'Indian Police Force' Premiere

The web series, titled 'Indian Police Force,' boasts a star-studded cast including Sidharth Malhotra, Shilpa Shetty, Vivek Oberoi, Shweta Tiwari, and Sharad Kelkar. Consisting of seven parts, the series is set to stream on Prime Video from January 19, offering a unique blend of crime drama without compromising on cultural sensitivity and family values.