The Fanaa frolic

It is another matter that this is Gujarat one is talking about. Requesting the state government to provide security may be a silly exercise.

Aamir Khan isn’t anti-Gujarati. Last heard, he supports the Narmada Bachao Andolan, is critical of the Narendra Modi government -- and yet, if filmi gossip is to be believed, is fond of dhokla and dandiya steps. Unfortunately, that does not cut much ice with those demanding a ban in Gujarat on the release of the Aamir Khan-starrer, Fanaa. While the politicos in Gujarat rage on, the matter is a bit more tricky than the usual ‘pressure group’ protests that seem to be springing out of every street corner these days.

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Multiplexes and cinemas in Gujarat have reportedly stated that they will not screen Fanaa as they fear damage to their properties by anti-Aamir mobs. Some have even denied any political pressure, although one fails to see why else cinema-owners -- whose earnings do depend on screening big movies with big stars -- would have backed out at this juncture. Be that as it may, it’s up to cinema owners to screen or not screen whatever movies they want -- for whatever reason. It is another matter that this is Gujarat one is talking about. Requesting the state government to provide security may be a silly exercise, especially when the ruling party’s youth wing happens to be the most vociferous about the ban. So to find fault with the cinema owners for taking the easy way out would be naive.

But what seems interesting is the silence of those who have stakes in the film. Khan, in the centre of the storm, has maintained a voluble silence since he dipped his toes in espousing his cause(s). The distributors, too, appear to have struck a wait-and-watch posture -- possibly waiting for the ‘controversy’ to fuel an overwhelming audience demand in the rest of India and ultimately in Gujarat. Unfortunately, such a (non-) move also fuels a cynical view that they are making the best of the situation. For when one decides to ride a wave of this nature to one’s advantage, there’s always the danger of being washed out by the same wave.