What is an S Rated Movie? Everything You Need to Know

Do you know what an "s-rated" movie is? If you're not familiar with this term, you're not alone. In this article, we'll dive into what an s-rated movie is, how it differs from other movie ratings, and why it matters.

What is an S-rated movie?

When it comes to movies, most people are familiar with the common ratings like G, PG, PG-13, R, and NC-17. However, there is another movie rating that is less well-known but still used in some parts of the world: the S rating.

The S rating, which stands for "Specially Restricted," is a movie rating used in India. It was introduced by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 1983 as a way to restrict certain content in movies that were deemed unsuitable for children or the general public.

How does the S rating differ from other movie ratings?

The S rating is similar to the R rating in the United States in that it restricts certain content from being shown to children. However, the S rating goes even further in terms of restrictions. In India, an S-rated movie can only be shown in certain theaters, and it is not allowed to be shown on television. Additionally, the movie can only be shown to audiences above the age of 18.

The S rating is also different from the NC-17 rating in the United States. While both ratings restrict content from being shown to minors, the NC-17 rating is not widely used and is often seen as a "kiss of death" for movies, as many theaters and advertising outlets refuse to show or promote NC-17 films. 

History of S Rated Movies

The S rating was first introduced in 1970 as an alternative to the X rating, which was commonly associated with adult films. The S rating was designed to be a more mainstream and respectable alternative to the X rating and to give filmmakers more freedom to create films with adult content without being stigmatized as pornographic.

What kind of content is restricted in an S-rated movie?

The CBFC has a set of guidelines that they use to determine whether a movie should be given an S rating. These guidelines cover a wide range of content, including violence, sex, nudity, and language.

In general, an S-rated movie will contain more graphic content than a movie with a lower rating. For example, an S-rated movie may show explicit sex scenes, extreme violence, or graphic nudity. The CBFC may also give an S rating to a movie that contains content that is deemed controversial or offensive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q: Are S rated movies the same as NC-17 movies?

A: No, S rated movies are not as extreme as NC-17 movies. NC-17 movies are typically reserved for films with explicit sexual content or extreme violence.

Q: Why are S rated movies not commonly used in the United States?

A: S rated movies are not commonly used in the United States because the rating is not well-known, and the content guidelines are not well-defined.

Q: Can children watch S rated movies?

A: S rated movies are not suitable for children and should only be viewed by mature audiences.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the S rating is a movie rating used in India to restrict certain content from being shown to minors or the general public. While it is similar to the R rating in the United States, it goes even further in terms of restrictions and is not allowed to be shown on television.

 An S-rated movie can contain graphic content like sex, violence, and nudity, and is only allowed to be shown to audiences above the age of 18. Understanding the S rating is important for anyone interested in Indian cinema or who may be traveling to India and wants to watch a movie while there.