FOR a Chinese entertainment star, the cost for crimes like getting involved in drugs or with prostitutes could be high — it could mean the end of a career.

    The State Administration of Press, Radio, Film and TV, the country’s top regulator for media and films, released a document Oct. 9, stating that people in the business who use drugs or hire prostitutes will be banned from roles on big and small screens.

    The regulator described such celebrities as “tainted talents,” and barred them from appearing in TV shows, films and commercials. Following the directive, many films and TV dramas are expected to face immediate delays in production or release.

    “Tiny Times 4,” the latest installment of the film series that stars Taiwan actor Kai Ko, among others, was scheduled to be released in February, but industry insiders now believe that is unlikely. In August, police detained Kai, 23, in Beijing on drug-use charges. He was subsequently released.

    The actor quickly rose to fame with “You Are the Apple of My Eye” in 2011, a romantic comedy that was a massive hit across Asia. Kai has three films awaiting release later this year and in early 2015. When contacted by China Daily, “Tiny Times” scriptwriter and director Guo Jingming declined to comment.

    “Monster Hunt,” another film that stars Kai, was directed by Chinese-American animator-director Raman Hui, who co-directed “Shrek The Third” (2007).

    A media conference by the “Monster Hunt” team scheduled for Oct. 9 was canceled at the last minute.

    Well-known director Wang Quanan and Kai are among the growing number of high-profile celebrities caught in scandals recently.

    In the August crackdown, Jaycee Chan, son of kung fu star Jackie Chan, was also detained by Beijing police for using drugs and providing them to others, including Kai. Chan’s latest role is in Chen Kaige’s drama “Monk in a Floating World.” The film’s budget was more than 250 million yuan (US$38 million), and it also stars Lin Chi-ling, a top model from Taiwan, and mainland veteran Fan Wei.

    Senior producer Ben Ji is now preparing for a film written by Chen Wanning, another showbiz wizard, who was detained for drug-related offenses for a month earlier this year. According to the new regulation, “tainted talents” include not only actors but also screenwriters.

    “Actually we don’t know what are going to do now,” says Ji. “The regulation gives no timetable, and only the authorities know how long the ban will last.”

    Ji’s last film “Color Me Love” was also written by Chen Wanning. The film is now available on many video-streaming websites. As per the new rule, the film should be removed from such sites, Ji says.

    Huang Haibo, an actor known for his portrayal of loving husbands and boyfriends, surprised fans when Beijing police detained him in May for hiring prostitutes in a hotel. He has a girlfriend.

    Huang is to stay in jail until November, news reports suggest.

    “Uncle Victory,” a film in which he plays the lead role, was to compete at this year’s Shanghai Film Festival in June, but was withdrawn from the competition following Huang’s arrest.

    While some applaud the severe punishment for the wrong behaviors of public figures who have strong influences on teenagers, some doubt if it is fair for a whole production team to shoulder the punishment. “It’s a personal behavior after all. Why not let the man who did the wrong pay his price,” Wang Changtian, president of Enlight Media, producer of “Monster Hunt,” said on his micro-blog.

    Renowned sociologist Li Yinhe believes it is illegal to discriminate against someone after the person has served the required penalty for breaking the law.

    “A basic principle of our legal penalty is that citizens, after the penalty, should not be discriminated against in life and career,” Li wrote on her blog. “They enjoy the same rights as other citizens. To ban actors and writers from working is clearly professional discrimination.”

    (SD-Agencies)