SO TRUE! Not Fawad Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will SUFFER if Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is banned!
I definitely remember the consequences of the dastardly Mumbai assaults on 26/11 in the context of Indian film. Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi was slated to release just a couple of weeks later and Aditya Chopra determined to pull the plug on its launch in Pakistan, as a subtle mark of protest against our neighbours. Not only did this move deprive the Pakistani movie fraternity and establishment of legitimate earnings through the film, but additionally, it earned a lot of regard in the eyes of millions of Indians to Yash Raj Films! It’s good to keep relationships with our counterparts from across the border, but its way more vital that you respect the opinions of people from our side of the Radcliffe line!
He would have turned the whole situation in his favour if Karan Johar had taken a leaf from his buddy Adi’s book. The director, who is now being targeted by some local parties, would rather have already been celebrated by them, the public and the (social) media.
While the diplomatic and military institutions of India and Pakistan are active playing a round of tug of war in the global political arena (and India is clearly reigning there — yippie!), another bout is underway within our country and between our countrymen. Some political outfits have threatened to disallow the release of movies featuring Pakistani performers & the producers /studios backing those movies would surely be worried about the situation. We are –ed by aLSO READ WON’T let Fawad Khan’s Mahira Khan’s Raees and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil to release in theatres, says MNS chief Raj Thackeray
The hypothesis about artistes being above politics and problems regarding the tension between the subcontinental neighbours is idealistic and intriguing, but you’ll find a lot of complexities involved here. Post the attacks on our jawans at Uri, the disposition of the country is fairly volatile in the context of Pakistan (rightfully so) and this, becomes a great opportunity for political outfits to score brownie points with the masses by tapping into the nationalistic fervour of our countrymen. Add to that the involvement of much notable names such as Salman Khan, Karan Johar, Sidharth Malhotra etc, that have voiced their view on the issue and you’ve got a goldmine of opportunities laid out for political outfits to reap. ALSO READ – After Salman Khan, Kangana Ranaut REACTS to MNS’ ban on Pakistani actors!
Even though I agree with the notion of keeping from Pakistani talent (for films which are still to go under production) till the situation between India and Pakistan becomes better, I wonder how targeting films that have previously been produced would help in isolating Pakistan and Pakistani talent at all! Let’s consider the case of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. Political outfits that have called for a prohibition against the Diwali release have a problem with the presence of Fawad Khan in its cast. Rationally speaking, blocking the release of the Ranbir Kapoor-Anushka Sharma-Aishwarya Rai starrer only at that point of time may have zilch effect on Fawad Khan! The guy has taken his fees for playing in the film and is happily back at home in Lahore now. Those who would really bear the maximum impact of a difficult release or a ban are —
An Indian firm called Dharma Productions, headed by a considerably famous Indian filmmaker called Karan Johar, who has taken Indian cinema to various parts of the earth.
# An India-based studio called Foxstar, that has invested Indian money worth crores to make this film.
# An Indian star called Ranbir Kapoor, whose family has served the Indian film industry for four generations.
# A worldwide idol called.
# Picture exhibitors across India, who contribute to the coffers of state governments that are Indian by paying entertainment tax.
The five entities mentioned previously are routine and critical payers of service tax, income tax and entertainment tax, which are used by the central and state governments for the development of Indian infrastructure, boosting the Indian economy, to help Indian citizens and additionally, for the wellbeing of Indian soldiers who guard our borders against the terrorists who infiltrate from Pakistan! Will Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar REPLACE Fawad Khan and Mahira?
On that note, I’d like to request the readers with this post — Who’s being anti-national here?
I genuinely hope that all of us Indians can work as an unit without harming each other at a period when our armed forces and diplomatic infrastructure are active fighting dangers from across the edge.
