SINGHAM and AARAKSHAN: Two powerful films facing controversy in their own way
Saturday, July 23, 2011 4:57:37 PM (IST)
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Enkayaar, Bollywood Trade Editorial
It was anticipated that SINGHAM would generate the ire of the Karnataka Vedike in Bangalore in particular and Karnataka in general as in the film the protagonists, i.e. Ajay Devgn and Prakash Raj represent Maharashtra and Karnataka in SINGHAM. These two states have been at logger heads for quite a long time for the border dispute between them, and SINGHAM seems to have reignited the flames, but with limited effect. The point of conflict of the people of Karnataka also is owing to the fact that Rohit Shetty, being a Kannadiga should not have glossed over it.
Passions apart, moot point is that Rohit Shetty is first of all a filmmaker whose job is to be honest to the script that he has been given, rather than to pander to sentiments, that could not give him the desired results. Cinema is a soft target as it has a wider canvas, and protest against it even in one quarter of the country, having a limited impact, has the potential to generate controversy. Those who dissent when there perceived world view is turned over topsy turvy by cinematic expression ought to bear it in mind that world of cinema is indeed the most secular place in the country.
As a matter of fact cinema is being targeted once again by raising objections against content of AARAKSHAN, under the perceived belief that the film is against reservations. After all, when the censor board has cleared it, then any other authority ought not to raise an objection against the content. It has one of the finest performances that Saif Ali Khan has given in recent times, which would help in deconstructing his image of being an urban city boy to a very large extent.
One needs to understand that from the beginning of the career, Prakash Jha has had the guts to make films focusing on topics which questioned the fabric continuum of the society, be it DAAMUL, GANGAJAL, MRITYUDAND, APAHARAN or RAAJNEETI. Having carved out a niche for him, obviously when his film is targeted it is sure to provide ample media bytes and one could get an opportunity to bask in the reflected glory.
Cinema should not be made a target to settle political scores, let the audience decide what they want to see, and let this decision not be left for discretion of political leaders, who are more concerned with their constituency rather than projection of nation in a positive light, reflecting through cinema, its ability to move forward.
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Tags : SINGHAM, AARAKSHAN, Ajay Devgn, Singham, Ajay Devgan, Kajal Aggarwal, Prakash Raj, Rohit Shetty, Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Manoj Bajpayee, Prateik Babbar, Saif Ali Khan
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