Did they really write in blood?? I doubt very much. And even if they did, why? Does a petition undergo value addition if it's written in red? But what disturbs me most is that they did many more things than just 'silent protests'.
Ashutosh Gowarikar spent three years of his life making a film. Big deal. He's a film maker. That's his day job. But more than three years, he has also put in his money and probably his heart into it. He read all the history he could lay his hands on. He researched extensively. He even approached the royal family of Amer before he started off with the project just to make sure that he doesn't go wrong anywhere, that he doesn't hurt anyone's sentiments. And only when the film is just about to be released the Karni clan wakes up out of hibernation and ensures that this man suffers heavy losses. First of all, where were they all this time, when the promos were being aired for months? Secondly, which part of the Rajput's "aan-baan-shaan" is being slandered?
Okay so the whole fracas is about Jodha being Akbar's daughter-in-law and not wife. So let's delve into the matter some more. History states that Akbar was married to Amer's princess. And she was known by many names. Historians wrote only about the men in those times because the queens were always in closed quarters. Also, Jehangir, Akbar's son was married to Joda (mind the spelling). But this lady wasn't from Amer. So there is no room for a mix up in the first place.
There is history on one hand and on the other is the world of folklore, myth and legend, which is always more colourful, more fascinating. And is one's making a film, why not make one over folklore. If only history is to be accounted, go ahead, make a documentary. Anarkali wasn't history. But the story was gut wrenching. So the film was a hit. Jodha bai is a widely accepted name for Akbar's queen from Amer. So why can't people live with it and give the film a fair chance at the box office?
I watched the film a few days ago. I wasn't going to. But when they stopped screening it under pressure, that was when I made it a point to go to the theatre and contribute my small bit. I did not like the movie. But I liked some aspects of it.
I want everyone to go and watch this film so that it actually is a hit. That will atleast shut a lot of people up. Moreover, next time some so-called social-activists or cultural groups plan to raise their voices just so they appear on national television, they'll think twice.
I saw how the head of the Karni clan got rogered on NDTV Big Fight. Everyone extended their support to Gowarikar. But to what avail? The film has already suffered.
I also read an article recently by Shashi Tharoor that talks about one of the most externally tolerant civilizations of the world turning internally intolerant. Well, that's a scary thought. But it's happening. My next blog maybe :)
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Gandhiji writes in his autobiography that he,while his father was on deathbed , was making love to his wife Kasturba. He heard cries and taps on the door. He understood his father had died but he could not tear himself away from his wife. Only after he had completed the intercourse, did he go to his fathers corpse. Gandhiji writes that he regretted this moment of weakness thtoughout his life. Why do you think this important episode has been purposefully missed out in all the films on Gandhiji? Better still, why dont we ask Gowariker to put this in a film?
ReplyDeleteNo sane film maker would do it and no sensitive indian would tolerate it. Regardless of whether its truth or folklore.
Certain things are taboo for a reason and taboo for today might be routine for tomorrow. But we have to wait till tomorrow comes.
What you find colorful and entertaining is debasing for someone else-
At the outset, lets get the facts straight. The opposition is not about the karni clan alone. Dont localise it! The film got banned by state governments of UP Haryana and Uttaranchal. It got close to being banned in Maharashtra, MP and Rajasthan.
Different people have taken offence for different reasons. HIndutva activists opposed cos it portrayed Akbar who killed 30,000 unarmed Hindus as secular. Women activists opposed it cos it glorifies the use of queen joda as political booty. I do not agree with any of them. I oppose the film because of the repercussions it caused. AG should have been thoughtful enough to know that he was flirting with turmoil.
The Karni sena had issued a forewarning when the filming began. A similar film 'Bajirao Mastani' had been shelved by a sensible director due to similar reasons.
I dont justify the hullabaloo that was created, I am distressed by it. we know that indians are sentimental about history. Still we keep on playing the artistic freedom card and giving people reason to stone the streets.
Honestly, I dont give a damn about Akbar or Jodha or AG or ppl like u who feel that he has been wronged.
I can only sincerely hope that the protests subside and the film dies its natural death.
p.s. I did not mean to scandalize or malign Mahatma Gandhi. I apologise if anyone thinks I have done so.