Film Industry Is No Longer Secular In Nature
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
21 January
2023
Vivek
Agnihotri's decision to re-release his controversial and extremely gory film 'The
Kashmir Files' just a few days prior to Shah Rukh Khan's film ' Pathaan
' is a sign of changing times.
That
communal mentality has crept into Bombay film industry is obvious. Until a few
years ago, Hindi film industry was the most secular in nature and there was no
discrimination on the basis of one's religion. Alas, now the situation is so bad
that one Brahmin director (Agnihotris are Brahmins) is trying to topple a Muslim
superstar's film by intending to re-release his partisan movie.
One Manoj
'Muntashir' (a lyricist of 'one song wonder' fame) openly criticises Muslims
but ironically uses an Arabic word 'Muntashir' (scattered/diffused) as his Takhallus
(pseudonym)!
Whether
actors, directors, singers, composers, comedians and lyricists, Bollywood (though
I hate this term) of yore always admired and respected Muslims. Dilip Kumar,
Meena Kumari, Waheeda Rahman, Shakeela, among others carved a niche for
themselves as actors par excellence and their Hindu counterparts also gave them
due respect.
Madan
Mohan's favourite singer was always Rafi. Composer Ravishankar Sharma
successfully teamed up with Shakeel Badayuni for many unforgettable numbers.
Just recall, ' Jaane-Bahaar Husn Tera Bemisaal Hai, Wallah Kamaal Hai Aray
Wallah.....' (Film, ' Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya', 1963, Rafi) or ' Zara
Sun Haseena-E-Naazneen' (Film, ' Kaun Apna, Kaun Paraya', 1963, Rafi). Ravi
also teamed up with the great Sahir to compose, ' Ye Zulf Agar Khul Ke
Bikhar Jaaye, ' (Film, ' Kaajal ', 1964, Rafi) or ' Itni Haseen Itni
Jawaan Raat Kya Karein' (Film, ' Aaj Aur Kal, ' 1963, Rafi). Sahir, Rafi
and Roshan created ' Man Re Tu Kaahe Na Dheer Dhare ' (Film,
Chitralekha). Hasrat Jaipuri and Shankar-Jaikishan forged a wondrous
association to belt out numbers like, ' Aaye Bahar Ban Ke Lubha Kar' (Film, '
Rajhath, 1958, Rafi) and ' Meri Muhabbat Paak Muhabbat ' (Film, ' April
Fool, ' 1965).
The list of
highly successful Hindu-Muslim collaborations in the Bombay film industry is
endless. But that bonhomie seems to be fast ebbing away. Earlier, even
cine-goers never frowned upon Muslim actors and enjoyed their films. But the
way, Aamir Khan's film ' Lal Singh Chaddha ' was panned by the
movie-goers in recent times, one can see and feel the palpable change in
public's perceptions regarding the movies sponsored and directed by Muslims.
Iqbal
Masood wrote years ago in the Blitz, ' That there are no communal hang ups in
the Hindi film industry, is a positive sign that it has remained unaffected by
the religious fanaticism outside it.' Alas, had the legendary film critic been
alive today, he'd have had to change his opinion. We're living in rabidly
polarised and morbidly fragmented times.
----
A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in
comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed
articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including
Persian.
URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/film-industry-secular-/d/128932
New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in
Islam, Islamic
Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia
in America, Muslim Women
in West, Islam Women
and Feminism