Anubhav Sinha's Mulk breaks Bollywood’s Sunny Deol-ised mould of the Muslim as a terrorist. It makes you feel an ordinary Muslim family’s fears, dilemmas and anger.
The over-simplistic categorisation of Muslims in movies, where the majority is presumed to be terrorists or their sympathisers, is fraught with double standards.
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Pakistan’s army has been a rentier force available to a reasonable bidder. It has never come to the aid of any Muslims including Palestinians or the Gazans, except making noises here and there.
I find this article kind of contradicting itself in a few places. Following are a some:
1) If there are so many (more than 1 in 7, according to the author) muslims in the film industry, why is there just a complaint that muslim stories are not being told? Muslim artists can make films based on these stories. Hansal Mehta made Shahid, which is fantastic, by the way, and not mentioned here. Hence, I think it doesn’t matter how many people from the religion work in the industry. Making films is a business. These stories will be told if the producers think it is profitable. By the way, not many Christain or Sikh stories are told in hindi films either.
2) I do not think it is fair to blame Sunny Deol or to credit ShahRukh Khan for the roles they do in films. I would rather blame or credit the writers/producers/directors for films they make. Heroes are actors for hire, I don’t think they play a huge role in story decisions.
3) Author does not mention good characters (who are incidentally muslim by faith) from Amir Khan movies e.g. Salim in Sarfarosh, Ismail in Lagaan, Farhan in 3 idiots etc. I think these characters and many more are ignored mainly because they are normal people like you and I and are not heroes or villains per se.
Sunny Deol’s movies were never anti Muslim. You cant think of making Border by going soft on Pakistan & I dont remember a single dialouge in that movie against Muslim. Same was with Gaddar, it was anti Pakistan as many Hollywood movies are anti Russia or anti German that doesnt mean it was against Muslim. If it was not saying anything against Muslim of India than how can it be highly communalism. Why the Muslims of India should have any problem if the movies are made against Pakistan. Ofcourse Mulk is a good movie so you should praise it but why going so cheap on others work. By putting Sunny Deol’s name in the heading you proved that according to you how big the star he is, that you want to sale your article on his name.
You want politically correct movies
What about the comments that say ‘Movies are art’ ‘they should have freedom of expression’
Oh Right!! These comments only come out when A historical Hindu figure has been criticised
But you want Politically correct movies only when they suit your moods
This is really neatly written post .. I am fan of Shekar Gupta’s writing and argument … How he so well put thought and Vega ideas on the page and makes it readable …
Very good article sir … I enjoyed it even thought I have not seen the movie ….
Over 100 crore Indians (majority being Hindus) have been categorised as criminals capable of committing atrocities and will be subject to a different criminal law. Mr Gupta do you accept such categorisation? The rights that were promised by the founding fathers have been extinguished under threat and fear of vicious caste extremists.
It is really amazing to read your comments about Gadar. No where in the entire film the indians or muslims have been criticized. It was only ideology of pakistan and mein Pakistanis that was highlighted in film. Our enlightened class is used to find fault on any count that is even in historical perspective , remotely critical of conduct of muslims. Creation of pakistan is the most illustrative example of muslim tolerance towards non muslims.
Indian Muslims staying back in India after Partition is not a badge of honour or their patriotism. When a minority within Muslims were running riots and conducting the Direct Action Days to hunt down Hindus, where were these Patriots? When the shoe is now on the other leg, they are just hiding behind the pardha of secularism & the brain dead Left-Libs.
As the minority within Muslims were running riots so were the minority within Hindus. So cut the crap out. Now this is gone further by the bhakts trying to suppress the voice of liberal Hindus writers/journalists. Also if you are talking about the riots of 70s or 80s please do understand that we are in 21st century and the world is becoming closer day by day. In the world of nuclear we need to live peacefully and change our mindset and become tolerable. Be it Hindu, Sikh, Muslims or Christian , Jain, Buddhist or Jews towards world citizens.
A bold article that underscores a pertinent point that really needs to be made today. We are a secular country and must work toward keeping, not the spirit or secularism, but its functionality alive, for us to be inclusive, prosper and to move forward.
Islam forbids idol worship. However, if Ustad Bismillah Khan wished to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva, the doors of the temple should have been open for him. As our hearts should be for the 170 million Muslims who have chosen to be Indians.
Correction: They were Indians who opted / chose to be Muslims! Idol worship was banned because people started creating Gods out of normal people and fighting over whose God is the real one. Of late in our information age society also we are creating Gods out of conmen – Ram Rahims and the numerous Babas! It was to unite illiterate people under a single formless divine force that idols were banned!
The Muslims revel in victimhood alongwith their liberal allies. There is never any realization or introspection about the bigotry of their faith, the violence by their lot. Hindus have been the biggest victims of Islam in this country and no amount of crappy films can change that truth. Hindus are no longer gullible. We shall snatch away our rights if we are not given them. A Hindu majority country like ours will always have Hindu culture. If Muslims cant accept that, they are welcome to leave and go to their pure lands that they fought for and founded after committing genocide on Hindus
Have you ever checked the facts how many of jobs been taken by Muslims? Most of them are so illiterate, I’ll equipped that they are not even eligible. There going to other lands is not going to help matters but an emplyment oriented growth which is really all inclusive along with good education for all
Who are Hindus? Do they have any single identity? There was, there is no Hindu! There are Bengalis, Madrasi, Manipuri, Maharashtrian, Punjabi, Dogra, Avadhi, UPwale and so on and there are Shiv Bhakts, Ram Bhakts, Shani Bhakts and Ram-jane-which-bhakt but no Hindu! So when you say WE just look around and see who all are with you! The Hindus are the collective that occupy the blessed land beyond the Indus as see from the North! They were cultured civilised contented happy people who believed in high ideals and values! These values and finesse remained in them irrespective of their religious denomination! Because culture is a function of ethnicity whereas religion is merely an applique! Today the need is to identify ourselves as an politico-ethinic conglomeration in order to overcome the communal divide!
Mr Shekhar Gupta I place you amongst the most remarkable writers of the country! How can you put your heart so artistically in words, amazes me! So well brought out. It is icons like you who can keep the spirit of India alive through your subtly aggressive style of perception strengthening. There are many more of your domain like my good friend Capt Raghuraman doing their little bit so there is a need to synergise for impact. Trust me, till the sincere don’t sacrifice their comfort zones and get into the field it will be the goons who’ll rule the countryside! Frankly, today what bothers the thinking Indian is not poverty, governance, crime, development etc as much as the survival of the idea of India!
You must do it Sir. Foot soldiers will join you galore!
Very nicely written piece! Thanks for kick starting my day in such a great way! Jai Hind!
As a regular reader of your Column, may I correct that you also discussed Madras Cafe, the movie in depth. So that makes it 4, not 3.
Insightful article as always
I find this article kind of contradicting itself in a few places. Following are a some:
1) If there are so many (more than 1 in 7, according to the author) muslims in the film industry, why is there just a complaint that muslim stories are not being told? Muslim artists can make films based on these stories. Hansal Mehta made Shahid, which is fantastic, by the way, and not mentioned here. Hence, I think it doesn’t matter how many people from the religion work in the industry. Making films is a business. These stories will be told if the producers think it is profitable. By the way, not many Christain or Sikh stories are told in hindi films either.
2) I do not think it is fair to blame Sunny Deol or to credit ShahRukh Khan for the roles they do in films. I would rather blame or credit the writers/producers/directors for films they make. Heroes are actors for hire, I don’t think they play a huge role in story decisions.
3) Author does not mention good characters (who are incidentally muslim by faith) from Amir Khan movies e.g. Salim in Sarfarosh, Ismail in Lagaan, Farhan in 3 idiots etc. I think these characters and many more are ignored mainly because they are normal people like you and I and are not heroes or villains per se.
Sunny Deol’s movies were never anti Muslim. You cant think of making Border by going soft on Pakistan & I dont remember a single dialouge in that movie against Muslim. Same was with Gaddar, it was anti Pakistan as many Hollywood movies are anti Russia or anti German that doesnt mean it was against Muslim. If it was not saying anything against Muslim of India than how can it be highly communalism. Why the Muslims of India should have any problem if the movies are made against Pakistan. Ofcourse Mulk is a good movie so you should praise it but why going so cheap on others work. By putting Sunny Deol’s name in the heading you proved that according to you how big the star he is, that you want to sale your article on his name.
You want politically correct movies
What about the comments that say ‘Movies are art’ ‘they should have freedom of expression’
Oh Right!! These comments only come out when A historical Hindu figure has been criticised
But you want Politically correct movies only when they suit your moods
This is really neatly written post .. I am fan of Shekar Gupta’s writing and argument … How he so well put thought and Vega ideas on the page and makes it readable …
Very good article sir … I enjoyed it even thought I have not seen the movie ….
Over 100 crore Indians (majority being Hindus) have been categorised as criminals capable of committing atrocities and will be subject to a different criminal law. Mr Gupta do you accept such categorisation? The rights that were promised by the founding fathers have been extinguished under threat and fear of vicious caste extremists.
It is really amazing to read your comments about Gadar. No where in the entire film the indians or muslims have been criticized. It was only ideology of pakistan and mein Pakistanis that was highlighted in film. Our enlightened class is used to find fault on any count that is even in historical perspective , remotely critical of conduct of muslims. Creation of pakistan is the most illustrative example of muslim tolerance towards non muslims.
Indian Muslims staying back in India after Partition is not a badge of honour or their patriotism. When a minority within Muslims were running riots and conducting the Direct Action Days to hunt down Hindus, where were these Patriots? When the shoe is now on the other leg, they are just hiding behind the pardha of secularism & the brain dead Left-Libs.
As the minority within Muslims were running riots so were the minority within Hindus. So cut the crap out. Now this is gone further by the bhakts trying to suppress the voice of liberal Hindus writers/journalists. Also if you are talking about the riots of 70s or 80s please do understand that we are in 21st century and the world is becoming closer day by day. In the world of nuclear we need to live peacefully and change our mindset and become tolerable. Be it Hindu, Sikh, Muslims or Christian , Jain, Buddhist or Jews towards world citizens.
A bold article that underscores a pertinent point that really needs to be made today. We are a secular country and must work toward keeping, not the spirit or secularism, but its functionality alive, for us to be inclusive, prosper and to move forward.
Islam forbids idol worship. However, if Ustad Bismillah Khan wished to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva, the doors of the temple should have been open for him. As our hearts should be for the 170 million Muslims who have chosen to be Indians.
Correction: They were Indians who opted / chose to be Muslims! Idol worship was banned because people started creating Gods out of normal people and fighting over whose God is the real one. Of late in our information age society also we are creating Gods out of conmen – Ram Rahims and the numerous Babas! It was to unite illiterate people under a single formless divine force that idols were banned!
The Muslims revel in victimhood alongwith their liberal allies. There is never any realization or introspection about the bigotry of their faith, the violence by their lot. Hindus have been the biggest victims of Islam in this country and no amount of crappy films can change that truth. Hindus are no longer gullible. We shall snatch away our rights if we are not given them. A Hindu majority country like ours will always have Hindu culture. If Muslims cant accept that, they are welcome to leave and go to their pure lands that they fought for and founded after committing genocide on Hindus
Have you ever checked the facts how many of jobs been taken by Muslims? Most of them are so illiterate, I’ll equipped that they are not even eligible. There going to other lands is not going to help matters but an emplyment oriented growth which is really all inclusive along with good education for all
Who are Hindus? Do they have any single identity? There was, there is no Hindu! There are Bengalis, Madrasi, Manipuri, Maharashtrian, Punjabi, Dogra, Avadhi, UPwale and so on and there are Shiv Bhakts, Ram Bhakts, Shani Bhakts and Ram-jane-which-bhakt but no Hindu! So when you say WE just look around and see who all are with you! The Hindus are the collective that occupy the blessed land beyond the Indus as see from the North! They were cultured civilised contented happy people who believed in high ideals and values! These values and finesse remained in them irrespective of their religious denomination! Because culture is a function of ethnicity whereas religion is merely an applique! Today the need is to identify ourselves as an politico-ethinic conglomeration in order to overcome the communal divide!
Mr Shekhar Gupta I place you amongst the most remarkable writers of the country! How can you put your heart so artistically in words, amazes me! So well brought out. It is icons like you who can keep the spirit of India alive through your subtly aggressive style of perception strengthening. There are many more of your domain like my good friend Capt Raghuraman doing their little bit so there is a need to synergise for impact. Trust me, till the sincere don’t sacrifice their comfort zones and get into the field it will be the goons who’ll rule the countryside! Frankly, today what bothers the thinking Indian is not poverty, governance, crime, development etc as much as the survival of the idea of India!
You must do it Sir. Foot soldiers will join you galore!
Very nicely written piece! Thanks for kick starting my day in such a great way! Jai Hind!
Fully endorse