Finally, Gujarat gets to see Parzania

Rahul Dholakia's film Parzania about the plight of a Parsi family during the communal violence of 2002 in Gujarat has finally had its first public screening in the state.

Rahul Dholakia's film Parzania about the plight of a Parsi family during the communal violence of 2002 in Gujarat has finally had its first public screening in the state, after facing virtual ban from some Hindu rightwing organisations.

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Two NGOs, the Act Now For Harmony and Democracy (Anhad) and the Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust (SAHMAT) came together to hold a special screening of the much talked about film in the city Monday evening.

The film, based on a real-life incident, depicts the travails of a Parsi couple - played by Naseeruddin Shah and Sarika - after their son went missing during the violence.

Shabnam Hashmi of Anhad told media that she was planning to hold 1,000 such screenings in the state. "The facts of 2002 should be told to people and if others won't do it, we will take up the task of countering communal forces."

When the film was released across the country Jan 26, several Hindu rightwing activists in the state opposed it, saying it was prejudiced against the majority community. The theatre owners in the state refused to screen the film, allegedly under pressure.