The Court said that features like audio description, same-language captioning, and Indian Sign Language must be added to the content, so that visually and hearing-impaired persons can also enjoy them.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court, on Monday, gave an important order asking OTT platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, along with film producers, to make sure their movies are accessible to people with disabilities.
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The Court said that features like audio description, same-language captioning, and Indian Sign Language must be added to the content, so that visually and hearing-impaired persons can also enjoy them.
Justice Sachin Datta passed the order while hearing a case about making OTT content more inclusive for persons with disabilities. The order will apply to several upcoming and existing movies such as The Buckingham Murderers, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, Shaitan, Article 370, and Kaluva.
The judge said movie producers must now include accessibility features at the time of release for any future movies that go live on OTT platforms. This is a big step to help those who are blind or have low vision, and those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The Court also gave directions to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) to speed up the process of making clear rules and guidelines on this matter. Right now, there is only an advisory from the Ministry, not a formal rule.
The next hearing in this case is scheduled for July 17.
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Advocate Rahul Bajaj, who appeared for the petitioners, strongly argued that even though some movies have added accessibility features now, it is not enough if they do it after the release.
He said:
“The producers must ensure that the same is done at the time of the release.”
He also said that:
“MIB has informed that it is in the process of formulating the guidelines on the issue, But, for now, there is only an advisory,” And he has challenged that as well.”
On the other side, Advocate Saikrishna Rajgopal appeared on behalf of Netflix. He said that Netflix is already following the MIB advisory and trying to make its content more inclusive. He told the Court:
“They fully committed towards adhering to guidelines released by MIB, And all the Netflix Originals, the shows produced by Netflix, already have certain accessibility features.”
