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Naseeruddin Shah’s latest movie has a scene where a Bollywood star, asking for protection against extortion threats, confides to the police commissioner that he is being targeted since he belongs to the minority community.
When the commissioner, eyebrows arched, tersely asks him, “Mr Arjun Khanna, how do you belong to the minority community?” he answers with a straight face that since the Khans are in a clear majority in his industry, he – along with the likes of Amitji – obviously belongs to the minority community!
Ask Naseer if he believes that there is actually any discomfort level within the film industry, what with stories of fringe groups seeking attention by warning Muslim actors not to be part of Indian cinema, or the debates that arose post Saif and Shabana talking about their house hunting experiences in Bombay – oops, Mumbai (with due apologies to Raj Thackeray) – and his answer isn’t the dismissive “of course not” that one was expecting.
“Hmm, well, no, there isn’t… but one is sensing the divide more and more these days. And it is making me unhappy, because I haven’t felt it before.” Felt what? “An assertion of a Muslim identity. An assertion of a Hindu identity.” Within the film industry? “In the city of Bombay, I’d say generally,” he says. And after a moment’s pause, foregoes being politically correct. “And yes, in the film industry too. The Muslim presence has always been very strong in the industry anyway. A majority of stuntsmen, for example, or musicians, have generally been Muslims. But there was no sense of an assertion of identity, in ethnic terms, in all the years that I have seen the industry, by any side.”
That is what we believe, as well. And the uninterrupted reign of the Khans is evidence many times over that the audience hasn’t had an ethnic perspective while appreciating what the industry produces, either. A Yusuf Khan wouldn’t ever need to acquire a Dilip Kumar persona in today’s times, would he? “I don’t think it was needed even then,” Naseer is quick to respond. But then, if it wasn’t a sensitive point earlier, why would it have been done? “It’s their own demons. I think Dilip Kumar would have been as successful, would have been the same grade of actor if he had been Yusuf Khan. I don’t know what his reasons were, so I can’t comment on them. But I don’t think what he did, in this context, set a good precedent.”
A discussion on religious identities and the cine industry in Mumbai is bound to veer to the inevitable question, even if it’s predictable – what’s his take on the points made by Shabana Azmi? Naseer is anything but smiling while responding to this one. “I don’t know if these issues need to be pursued with the kind of fervour they generate. I don’t see the point in raking up something that may have happened to someone, many years back, on account of one biased human being, and generalise on that. I wonder if Muslims are the only community that are discriminated against in such terms. I don’t think so. I think each community gets used when it’s convenient, politically, to use it… And that apart, some buildings don’t allow Sikhs, some don’t allow Christians, some don’t allow Muslims – and some are exclusively for Christians, some are exclusively for Muslims. So?”
But when Saif and Shabana speak on the issue, it will get noticed, won’t it? “Yes, but the press is quick to play up what it considers printworthy. I don’t always agree. For instance, when I read terms like ‘top terrorist’, ‘top dacoit’ – I feel they are being given box office star status! Why should they be? And why should some stupid wannabe politician who is trying to create trouble in a city – why should the press give someone like that so much coverage? But the press would say, it’s printworthy. And the media is omnipresent. Which is why these questions are tossed about so much more these days. I wish they were examined a bit more, though.”
What’s his personal take on it all? “I know I may be living in a fool’s paradise, but I have never faced any kind of discrimination in the course of my life, nor have any of my brothers, one of whom has served with great distinction in the army all his career. My dad, who was a government official, refused to go to Pakistan when he had a choice. He didn’t buy this idea of a Muslim nation. He didn’t face any discrimination, and neither have we. That’s my take on it.”
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Looking forward to the response in Berlin for this.. 
Definitely Action replay is a prestige film.And will be a huge success. 
I guess after the Rahul Gandhi visit, where Sena could not do anything, they ...
This is really getting murkier now... 
Both 3 Idiots and Ghajini(along with RNBDJ) came like Saviours at the time and really helped the exhibitors and Distributors. ...
I am saddened to see VHP too in this mudbath. 
Chavan dares VHP, will watch SRK's 'My Name...' with family
New Delhi, Feb 8 (IANS) Stating that nobody would be ...
ok i c it now 
Thats probably double than usual Hindi movies, or about 40% higher than 3 Idiots screen count.
3 I was increased to ...
and I will also say that this movie has some prestige outlook to it as opposed to any movies Akshay ...
rockstar 6 September 2008
03:51:33 am
“i feel they are being given box office star status! Why should they be? And why should some stupid wannabe politician who is trying to create trouble in a city – why should the press give someone like that so much coverage”
indirect refrence to mr raj thackrey first celeb who has done it openly
Kaveetaa Kaul 6 September 2008
04:08:18 am
“I don’t know if these issues need to be pursued with the kind of fervour they generate. I don’t see the point in raking up something that may have happened to someone, many years back, on account of one biased human being, and generalise on that. I wonder if Muslims are the only community that are discriminated against in such terms. I don’t think so. I think each community gets used when it’s convenient, politically, to use it… And that apart, some buildings don’t allow Sikhs, some don’t allow Christians, some don’t allow Muslims – and some are exclusively for Christians, some are exclusively for Muslims. So?” ”
So here is one Muslim who has vindicated my stand on NG by almost unwittingly echoing my comment…remember Rockstar? Not just mine and yours but I think every right minded Indian citizen who would rather keep the peace than rake up sensitive issues which pose no immediate solutions.
Naseer by virtue of this one statement has proven to be more secular than all the averments made previously by those merely posing to be so but inwardly harboring deep rooted resentments.
rockstar 6 September 2008
04:35:57 am
yes kaveeta ji
http://www.naachgaana.com/2008.....bana-azmi/
Comment by Kaveetaa Kaul on 26 August 2008:
This is a sensitive issue and the responses are pretty evident. Those who espouse the cause of tolerance and enabling are unwittingly silencing the contention of those who differ. It more than clearly establishes why discretion is the better part of valour..as cliched as that may sound.
There are a million causes to complain..I could cite a hundred in a matter of a day.If personal experience be the criteria which to my mind limits the scope of argument, I assure you sometimes making a choice is difficult as to which is it that has left one numb with indigantion . As an anonymous individual whose words may not be dissected one can get away with a lot.
Shabana is someone who heralded almost single handedly a generation of open minded Muslim citizenry. Had it been the utterances of any other (of which there have been plenty) the scenario may have been different. But a reiteration of something which has been prevalent for more than a decade now in almost all communities was not expected from someone of her caliber. For the same reasons that she quotes as having been the recipient of so much honor and acclaim is the very same cause for concern today at her statements. She has taken on the mantle or rather proven to be the spokesperson of the Moderate Muslim…hence the reaction.
Saket your $.02 was worth much more. If we address the issue as Indians then the root of the problem should be the area of concern.. Symptoms are only indicative of the malady and usually fail to present a 360 degree perspective.We have all suffered various forms of discrimination at different levels. Sometimes what we choose not to highlight speaks louder of our values and sense of patriotism.
I may be wrong..but nevertheless felt the need to communicate.
Kaveetaa Kaul 6 September 2008
04:48:35 am
Rockstar..you have been so thoughtful by pasting the comment.Now that you have may I also quote my first comment on that thread..
Comment by Kaveetaa Kaul on 25 August 2008:
Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar have more or less epitomised the voice of Liberal Muslims.They were looked upon with great admiration for their sincere secular stand despite being targeted by fundamentalists. Therefore when such a person chooses to focus on something which is not the handiwork of a select group but more a fallout of the situation as it exists, one is bound to feel a tad disappointed, especially in light of the fact that Shabana in her professional life and personal socialist activities cannot possibly scream ‘bias’. She has been warmly embraced in all she has done by Indians as a whole. One expected her to have spoken of it more or less in a mature and conciliatory fashion, if she was so compelled to bring the issue to light.
There are pockets in Mumbai and am sure elsewhere in India where Hindus are not allowed to buy property either in Muslim dominated localities.. In fact not just Muslims but a neighbourhood in Bandra (W) which boasts of premium property rates does not lease or sell property to anybody but Christians.They are ready to sell at half the market price but only to Christians! How come nobody has brought that into focus or for that matter societies who insist on Vegetarians only, or Gujaratis only and the list goes on.
Sometimes its prudent to turn a Nelsons eye to such happenings since the chances of the situation healing is far fetched but that of it worsening, greater.
Qalandar 6 September 2008
07:32:45 pm
Re: “So here is one Muslim who has vindicated my stand on NG … Naseer by virtue of this one statement has proven to be more secular than all the averments made previously by those merely posing to be so but inwardly harboring deep rooted resentments.”
One can approve or disapprove of Naseer’s statements, but it’s far too sweeping, and in my view unwarranted, a statement to say that those who hold a different view from Naseer have shown themselves to be posers and communal in reality.
Kaveetaa Kaul 6 September 2008
07:45:48 pm
One can approve or disapprove of Naseer’s statements, but it’s far too sweeping, and in my view unwarranted, a statement ”
I thought and so do most that all the ’sweeping’ and ‘generalisation’ had been initiated by Shabanas statements and her supporters..and is in my view unwarranted.
“that those who hold a different view from Naseer have shown themselves to be posers and communal in reality.”
Finally one’s thoughts and reactions to events of the kind prove just how secular one is.