Should we stop making Hindi films from Mumbai?
The past week events clearly state the way one man - Raj Thackeray - whose biodata reads nothing enviable at all has taken to plain bad old violent ways in the land of Mahatma to terrorize none but actors from the Hindi film industry.
Once again the Maharashtra Government seems to be doing nothing but sitting duck watching the carefully chosen words of Raj Thackeray sparing none, not even a senior Police Officer - Mr.K.L.Prasad. It is indeed a matter of shame for the rule of law in the country. Threats flying openly against one and all.
What a sight!
What a plight!
Is this India we sought? Is this the nation we saw 62 years back? I wonder what our forefathers thought while dividing India on the basis of language way back then? Its a matter of great concern not only for Indians in Mumbai but also for all of us countrymen living elsewhere. Seems now one will have to seek permission of Raj Thackeray before making any sort of comments in any other language apart from the local dialect Marathi.
When this whole Jaya Bachchan "off the cuff" comment which was clearly edited out of the context by visual media (TV news channels) which repeatedly showed it as it was of such a national importance only to irk the Anti-Hindi party MNS led by Raj Thackeray and seek a response to garner more TRPs.(Television Rating Points)
But the surprise came later. Day before yesterday the MNS which had earlier threatened the Bachchan family and had called "people" to boycott the family's films and all products endorsed by the clan, shattered two glass windows of the PVR multiplex at Juhu (a Mumbai suburb where Mr.Bachchan residences and office are located) where the premiere for the latest film - The Last Lear was going to have its Premiere the same evening. This led to widespread panic for the producers and distributors of the film and the producer who is also the man behind the successful educational institution - Indian Institute of Personal Management (IIPM) Mr. Arindam Chaudhary admitted to a news channel that he would reach out to Raj Thackeray instead going to the police for a peaceful solution to this trouble against his film. Later in the evening Mr Bachchan held a press conference and asked for apology. (check out his blog how his fans have reacted against his apology to Raj. http://blogs.bigadda.com/ab).
Today (Friday 12, Sep 2008) English film The Last Lear releases across India including Mumbai & Maharashtra as MNS chief has accepted the apology.
But is this the way we will function in Mumbai? Should all films which are being created in Mumbai now need to be in Marathi? Is this the end of Hindi cinema?
We will have to seek his permission & blessings before we even utter a word in public?
This calls for contempt of such authoritarian forces which are hell bent on dividing the countrymen and women on the basis of language.
Let us all await and see what action the "sitting duck" Government of Maharashtra takes now that Raj has challenged the police officer.
Till then please feel free and do not be apologetic if you speak in any language you chose!
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