Film-makers finally show that India comes first
All's well that ends well. The standoff between the makers of the film, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, and many of those opposing its release in Maharashtra, most notably the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), has been resolved. It only took only a few remarks by the film fraternity associated with the product, of understanding the people's sentiments, to defuse the crisis. The film's director, Karan Johar, along with representatives of the Film and Television Producers Guild, met State Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and MNS chief Raj Thackeray and made a slew of promises to demonstrate his commitment to the country “before business”. They agreed Indian film-makers would not work with any Pakistani artiste until the situation returned to normal between India and Pakistan. Johar also decided to make a special mention in the beginning of the film, paying homage to the Uri attack martyrs, as a tribute to Indian soldiers. Further, part of the proceeds from the film would be given to the Army welfare fund.
There is now no doubt that the film-makers have reached out with whatever they can do in the given circumstances. The MNS's decision to call off protests against the release of the film coming Friday should also be welcomed. This is a case of ‘better late than never' for the film-makers who had previously taken unreasonable positions on the issue. The producers' organisation and Karan Johar's outreach could have easily come earlier, and that would have sorted out the matter. But, strangely enough, despite having their fingers on the pulse of the people as eminent film-makers who understand their audience, they had chosen to be obstinate. Many of them had taken insensitive positions in the wake of the Uri terror attack from the Pakistani end; somebody said art and politics should not be mixed (as if the condemnation of a terrorist attack and its perpetrator is ‘politics'), while others said the Pakistani artistes working in Indian films need not necessarily respond to terror attacks. There were even those who classified the public outrage as a form of ultra-nationalism. None of these reactions took even the sentiments of the families of the martyred jawans on record. One highly respected actor went to the extent of wondering why our soldiers pick up the gun, when he was reminded of a jawan's sacrifice for the country.
It must be recalled that the furore had not begun with the demand for a ban on Pakistani artistes in Indian films. It arose after the Pakistani actors working here refused to say a word of condemnation on the Uri attack or extend condolence to the bereaved families, when, in the recent past, they had been actively raising their voice against terror strikes in all other parts of the globe. The situation worsened after a section of Indian actors and film-makers began siding with the Pakistani artistes' silence. The collective anger among the people thus led to political reactions, with the MNS adopting a belligerent position. One can differ with the means the MNS adopted to convey its protest, but the Sena did reflect people's sentiments in the case at hand. Nobody in this country hates Pakistani artistes — indeed, those actors and singers have a huge fan-following. But India comes first for every Indian, and always should.