Kamalahaasan's latest movie, 'Viswaroopam' has been the target of Muslim organisations saying that it has objectionable contents related to Islam. It's the latest case of intolerance to an individual's freedom of expression.
And who're the latest upholders of the faith? A fringe organisation called the 'Popular Front of India' and they've already done enough damage by stopping the screening of the film at many places. And what's their grievance? The film shows characters chanting verses from the Holy Quran before committing terrorist acts thereby giving an impression that the scripture is the root cause of terrorism.
Delving further into the objectionable parts of the narrative, the following depictions are found to be unacceptable:-
(a) It talks of an Afghan father teaching his young son to identify ammunition blindfolded but when he
steps away for a while, his mother comes and frees him
(b) A Taliban leader says that he'd taken refuge in Coimbatore, Madurai and Ahmedabad showing the
local Muslims in poor light.
(c) Terrorists chant 'Allahu Akbar' ahead of an attack.
(d) And the film ends with the hints of a sequel!
Well, these are perceptional differences. While artistic freedom needs to be respected, the artist too needs to appreciate as to where he should draw the line to avoid violation of the other's sentiments. Maturity is to understand the point of view being put across, however uncomfortable it's gonna be, and counter it with meaningful dialogue to clear the grey areas! But unfortunately, what we see today is that a few with overwhelming lung power shout down dissent of any kind and thrust their viewpoint - totally unacceptable, perhaps - upon the majority!!
Tailpiece.
1. Why're the good people in the society letting things go this way? Where're the well meaning people who're respected and loved by their countrymen who should be vociferous in their opinions on the subject?
2. It's my fond hope that the movie will outlive all the hiccups and run to packed houses. I shall surely see it.
PS.
Or is it much ado about nothing? The whipping up of initial controversies to set the cash registers ringing? I hope not because according to me, it'd be a cheap stunt!
And who're the latest upholders of the faith? A fringe organisation called the 'Popular Front of India' and they've already done enough damage by stopping the screening of the film at many places. And what's their grievance? The film shows characters chanting verses from the Holy Quran before committing terrorist acts thereby giving an impression that the scripture is the root cause of terrorism.
Delving further into the objectionable parts of the narrative, the following depictions are found to be unacceptable:-
(a) It talks of an Afghan father teaching his young son to identify ammunition blindfolded but when he
steps away for a while, his mother comes and frees him
(b) A Taliban leader says that he'd taken refuge in Coimbatore, Madurai and Ahmedabad showing the
local Muslims in poor light.
(c) Terrorists chant 'Allahu Akbar' ahead of an attack.
(d) And the film ends with the hints of a sequel!
Well, these are perceptional differences. While artistic freedom needs to be respected, the artist too needs to appreciate as to where he should draw the line to avoid violation of the other's sentiments. Maturity is to understand the point of view being put across, however uncomfortable it's gonna be, and counter it with meaningful dialogue to clear the grey areas! But unfortunately, what we see today is that a few with overwhelming lung power shout down dissent of any kind and thrust their viewpoint - totally unacceptable, perhaps - upon the majority!!
Tailpiece.
1. Why're the good people in the society letting things go this way? Where're the well meaning people who're respected and loved by their countrymen who should be vociferous in their opinions on the subject?
2. It's my fond hope that the movie will outlive all the hiccups and run to packed houses. I shall surely see it.
PS.
Or is it much ado about nothing? The whipping up of initial controversies to set the cash registers ringing? I hope not because according to me, it'd be a cheap stunt!
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