From censorship to arrests, when culture, artists came in crosshairs

In January 1976, Doordarshan aired Geeton Bhari Shaam, promoting government initiatives while censoring dissenting artists like Kishore Kumar

In January 1976, state-owned television broadcaster Doordarshan started airing a show called Geeton Bhari Shaam. A brainchild of Sanjay Gandhi, the son of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, it brought together some of the most popular singers and actors of the time to extol the 20-point programme, a set of socio-economic development initiatives initiated by the government. Actor Dilip Kumar delivered a four-minute speech on the importance of population control. Singer Asha Bhonsle and music composer RD Burman sang the

Movies like Kissa Kursee Ka and Aandhi, which had characters that seemed to be based on then PM Indira Gandhi and peopleclose to her, were banned after Emergency was imposed. (IMDB)