In a country where our film stars, cricketers and politicians are ‘Gods’, even a small issue under any of these topics can snowball into a controversy.
What would be a perfect plot for a masala Bollywood movie? A protagonist trying to justify and defend himself as he finds himself battling various political motives and controversies; wouldn’t that make for a 200 crore film?
When a similar incident takes place in real life, it becomes the most talked about topic for days and starts 'trending' on social media.
How else would one see Karan Johar's attempt to justify that he isn't anti-national when the country was divided into two camps - those supporting him and those who felt that 'it was just a fashion in new India to get into news'.
But, like all movies do have a 'happy ending', a sense of climax seems to have been met when Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis assured support for film's release without any violence.
However, this isn’t just a single incident; there have been various such incidents wherein Bollywood has been caught in the crossfire between political parties.
The question nation is asking – Should Pakistani artist be allowed to perform in India? Will Karan Johar be allowed to release Ae Dil Hain Mushkil?
Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image (MAMI) showing solidarity with “national sentiments” has dropped Pakistani movies.
Amidst tension prevailing between India and Pakistan following the Uri attack and surgical strike, there has been divided opinion about Pakistani artists’ association with India.
Taking a stand, Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association of India (COEAI) had clarified that they were boycotting all the films which involve Pakistani artist. This meant that movies like Ae Dil Hain Mushkil, Raees wouldn’t get a release in single screens in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka.
MNS, after spectacularly flopping in the last few elections has tried to appropriate the agenda of patriotism. It has threatened to scuttle release of AHDM in Maharashtra. Whether MNS can prevail or the law of the land will have the last laugh will only be known post-release of the movie.
The intolerance debate
Intolerance was the much talked about topic last year. While the intellectuals were returning their awards, Bollywood was screaming intolerance and the politicians were criticising them by saying that “the world sees India as the most tolerant country”.
Aamir Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Karan Johar and Amitabh Bachchan were all ‘alarmed’ by the number of incidents in the country.
However, their comments did not go really well with the ruling government at Centre, and the bhakts wanted some of these film stars to leave the country. Intolerance debate even had an adverse effect on collection of Dilwale, as SRK later confessed. Aamir Khan was dropped as the brand ambassador of Incredible India and Snapdeal bore the brunt of being associated with him.
FTII: A mere student’s revolt or a protest against saffronisation?
The 139 days strike by students was taken to the length and breadth of the country and received support from several eminent personalities.
While students questioned the “creative credentials” of the ‘BJP party worker’ Gajendra Chauhan, they weren’t happy with the reconstitution of FTII panel too, where four RSS propagandists would be appointed.
They were supported in their protest against the Centre by filmmaker Anand Patwardhan, Rishi Kapoor and Anupam Kher among others. Gajendra Chauhan finally prevailed but it showed that the battle lines have been drawn between the government and intellectuals.
Keeping politics off Udta Punjab
Udta Punjab was to be banned due to excessive use of swearing and depictions of drug abuse in the movie. Amidst the controversy, there was a different war going on between CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal. CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani had alleged that the film was sponsored by AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, but Kejriwal blamed Nihalani for stopping the film on 'BJP's instructions'.
Meanwhile, co-producer Anurag Kashyap had asked politicians to keep their fight off the movie.
While opposition had taken up the issue of drug issue intensively, the ruling Akali Dal-BJP coalition were upset due to upcoming Punjab elections. On the other hand there was pressure from Shiromani Akali Dal because they believed that the movie portrayed Punjab in bad light.
Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Shyam Benegal were among those who supported the release of Kashyap's movie while he was battling CBFC and the involvement of politicians.
The Roast that didn't go too well
Mumbai police had February 2015 filed an FIR against 14 people, including those from film fraternity like Karan Johar, Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt.
While political parties in Maharashtra threatened Karan Johar, Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor saying that they would stop their films, CM Devendra Fadnavis said action would be taken against AIB for 'vulgar content'.
On the other hand, Parineeti Chopra, Sonakshi Sinha, Ram Gopal Verma among others came out in support of their counterparts. Finally AIB had to pull down the video from Youtube and they even apologised to religious groups.
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 "Kiren Rijiju Anurag Kashyap Ae Dil hain mushkil")
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