After Ziddi Girls controversy, Miranda House is coming up with a filming policy
Delhi University's Miranda House is in the final stages of adopting a formal policy to regulate filming on its campus, The Indian Express has learnt. The move comes in the aftermath of the controversy linked to Ziddi Girls, an Amazon Prime series accused of portraying a fictional college, 'Matilda House', bearing an 'unmistakable resemblance' to Miranda House.
With the proposed regulations, DU's prestigious women's college aims to ensure that future creative projects do not distort or damage its public image, said people in the know.
Directed by Miranda House alumna Shonali Bose, the series sparked protests from students and alumni who said the similarities were too stark to ignore, including the short-form reference.
The college had issued a legal notice to the show's makers in February, demanding the removal of the short-form reference, 'MH', and seeking a pre-release preview of the series by the administration and the students' union.
A faculty-student committee then proposed a filming policy in April. 'Teachers and students have come up with a policy, and the college is looking into it,' Principal Bijayalaxmi Nanda told The Indian Express.
The draft, which is yet to be finalised by a committee, 'reviewing the use of college space by outsiders', lays out a detailed approval process requiring filmmakers to submit a written request at least 15 days in advance. The proposal must include the script, project overview, and a clear explanation of how the college will be depicted.
'The college administration will review the script and decide whether the project aligns with the values and reputation of Miranda House,' the draft states. 'Any content that misrepresents the college or negatively impacts its image will not be approved.'
Once approved, the production team must sign a formal contract. 'Filming must be done in a way that does not disturb classes, students, or faculty,' reads a clause. Any damage to college property must be compensated by the production team, it said.
An administrative official involved in the drafting process emphasised that commercial gain has never been the motivation behind granting access. 'It is never a matter of money coming in for this college through the shooting of films and ad films. The college has always given permission only to a few very important projects, like those driven by its alumni. The effort through this policy is to make sure film shooting takes place vigilantly, under supervision, and without disturbing the academic spaces for students.'
'Before release, the college reserves the right to view the final footage to ensure it aligns with the agreed portrayal,' the guidelines note. If any changes are needed, the team will be required to make the necessary edits. 'The college name and logo must not be used in credits, promotions, or any form of branding unless explicitly approved.'
The guidelines also focus on legal accountability. 'Any violation of this policy may result in legal action or a permanent ban on future filming requests. The contract will outline legal consequences in case of policy violations,' the document states.
The college also insists on a complete preview of the final product: 'After completion of the shoot and before launching, it should be seen by the administration.'
Perhaps most significantly, the policy prohibits filmmakers from deviating from the agreed script under the pretext of artistic freedom. 'The overview of the script provided to the college authorities should not contrast with the actual story to be streamlined. The use of 'creative license' as an excuse for the same will not be entertained,' it reads.
Once adopted, the policy is expected to set a precedent for other academic institutions too.
Earlier, in a statement before the release of the series, the Miranda House Students' Union said: 'MHSU expresses its deep outrage and profound condemnation over the recent release of the 'Ziddi Girls' trailer on Amazon Prime. The circulating trailer contains content that raises serious objections, particularly regarding the dignity of our esteemed institution. It tarnishes, defames, and demeans the 77-year-old legacy of Miranda House, a college renowned for its commitment to women's education and emancipation.'
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