By Kriti Gupta
Cinema is the most beautiful fraud in the world. -Jean-Luc Godard
The Rajput Karni Sena seems to have taken the aforementioned statement way too seriously. In their bid, to thwart the shooting of upcoming Sanjay Leela Bhansalis directorial – Padmavati, the protestors marched into the Jaigarh Fort where the movie was being shot and attacked the famous director. The protestors claimed that the story of the movie led to a distortion of the historical facts which wouldnt be tolerated at any cost.
[su_pullquote align=”right”]The protestors claimed that the image of the Queen was not being projected appropriately.[/su_pullquote]
Padmavati is based on the invasion of Rajasthan by the Delhi Sultan, Alauddin Khilji, in 1303. He marched into Chittorgarh to defeat the Mewar ruler- Rana Rawal Ratan Singh – and get the beautiful queen, Rani Padmini, for himself. However, she refused to submit to the Muslim ruler and killed herself along with all the royal females of the family.
The protestors claimed that the image of the Queen was not being projected appropriately. They were infuriated when they heard that a dream sequence between the Queen and Alauddin Khilji was being portrayed. However, in a report to ANI, Sanjay Leela Bhansali clarified that no objectionable scenes between the two were being shown in the film.
The illusion of freedom
Article 19 of the Constitution of India guarantees Freedom of speech and expression to all its citizens. However, this freedom comes with a list of blurred restrictions that render this article ineffective. In the past, movies like Jodhaa Akbar, Bajirao Mastani and Udta Punjab have landed in trouble because of their story lines.
What role do the disclaimers play, then? If artists are not even allowed to visualise their point of view, presenting one seems a distant dream. Any form of art involves creativity.
As the saying goes, To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.
The film industry has become the softest target for any fringe group looking for media attention, and we need the strongest possible intervention from the concerned authorities to end this and to end it now. -ANI
– Siddharth Roy Kapur, President, Film and Television Producers Guild Of India
No longer a safe haven for creativity?
[su_pullquote align=”right”]Ironically, directors find it much easier outside their country and much more peaceful as well.[/su_pullquote]
India, as a country, has been promoting travel and tourism here for a long time. It has been requesting directors to shoot movies in the country, rather than opting for foreign locations. However, disorganised outfits, like the Karni Sena, make it difficult for the film fraternity to shoot any kind of film here. Their sentiments are so fragile that they get offended at any differing viewpoint. That also happens to be the reason behind growing intolerance in India. Ironically, directors find it much easier outside their country and much more peaceful as well. This also affects business from foreign countries who view India as an attractive location for shooting movie scenes.
Taking control of the law
Barging into a shooting arena and assaulting the production crew is not the right thing to do, even if their objections are true and justified. Taking the law into ones own hand does not happen in a civilised society. Only the government and other officials have the power to consider the case and take a punitive action, if the need be. By not taking any action on such wrongdoings of political organisations, the government is inviting increased similar incidents.
Attack on the set of Padmavati | Photo Courtesy: The Indian ExpressStringent measures should be implemented as soon as possible. This would send out a clear message that acts like these will not be tolerated at any cost. Without reading the entire script, watching the movie or proper research no party can point a finger at anyone.
Much ado about nothing?
In a statement to ANI, Sanjay Leela Bhansali mentioned that watching the movie would make the people of Rajasthan proud. He also opines that the locals should support them in its making. This incident has received condemnation from Bollywood celebrities. But, worse than that, it surely does not go down well on Indias image of being incredible.
Stricter law and order measures are needed for political outfits which resort to unfair means to get their job done.
Art is not what you see, but what you make others see. However, for that to happen, Freedom of speech and expression needs to be taken in the right spirit.