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