Prasoon Joshi: the sell-out of a poet

‘Khalbali hai khalbali…’ The bard who gained popularity by talking about political and social restlessness in troubled times was in news recently for a completely contradictory reason. He was praised, criticised and ridiculed for his ‘interaction’ with our Prime Minister in London.

CBFC chairman Prasoon Joshi has been a man of talent, creativity and intelligence. Recently, when he ‘interacted’ with the Prime Minister in London, social media broke into a guffaw over his ‘tough’ questions and apparent groveling at the feet of Narendra Modi. It did not behove a poet and the chairman of CBFC to have such a conversation with the Prime Minister which only reflected blind hero worship. Sadly, Prasoon Joshi forgot that he was there not only as CBFC chairman, but that he was also representing the film and creative fraternity of the country.

Prasoon Joshi has had an impeccable record as a writer, lyricist and a creative mind. He belongs to an educated family from Almora. His father was a PCS officer, mother a lecturer in political science. He holds a master’s degrees in physics and business administration. Though he started writing poetry quite early, it was only during his MBA days that he decided to join advertising. He started his career in advertising with Ogilvy & Mather and went on to join McCannErickson. Many wonderful and popular advertisements have been his handiwork.

NDTV’s pathbreaking ‘Sach Dikhate Hain Hum’ or CNN-IBN jingle ‘India Rising’ lyrics or Coke’s ‘Ummeedon Wali Dhoop’ or ‘Thanda Matlab Coca Cola’ campaign were all a reflection of his creative zeal which was acknowledged not only in India but also worldwide. He debuted as a lyricist with Rajkumar Santoshi’s Lajja and then went on to deliver hit lyrics for films like Hum Tum, Fanaa, Rang De Basanti and Taare Zameen Par. A recipient of the Filmfare Award for best lyrics thrice, Prasoon was at his creative best when he wrote the poetry of dissent and rebellion.

Kholo Kholo Darwaze
Parde Karo Kinare
Khutey Se Bandhi Hai Hawa
Mil Ke Chudao Saare

Kyun Is Kadar Hairaan Tu
Mausam Ka Hai Mehmaan
Tu Duniya Sajee Tere Liye
Khud Ko Zara Pehchaan Tu
Tu Dhoop Hain Jham Se Bikhar
Tu Hai Nadee O Bekhabar
Beh Chal Kahin Ud Chal Kahin
Dil Khush Jahan Teri Toh Manzil Hai
Wahin…

Tujh Mein Agar Pyaas Hai
Baarish Ka Ghar Bhi Pass Hai
Roke Tujhe Koi Kyon Bhala
Sang Sang Tere Aakash Hai
Tu Dhoop Hain Jham Se Bikhar…

(Taare Zameen Par)

The Khoon Chalaa song literally became an anthem for the Indian youth when the film Rang De Basanti was released (2006).

Kuchh Kar Guzarne Ko Khoon Chala Khoon Chala
Aankhon Ke Sheeshe Mein Utarne Ko Khoon Chala...
Khuli-Si Chot Lekar, Bari-Si Tees Lekar Ahista Ahista
Sawaalon Ki Ungli, Jawaabon Ki Mutthi Sang Lekar Khoon Chala
Kuchh Kar Guzarne Ko Khoon Chala Khoon Chala

These were the songs for rebels and for people who wanted to do something creative, something substantial to bring in a change in the society.

But then something happened. Fortunately or unfortunately, Prasoon Joshi, revered as he was as a lyricist and writer, was awarded Padma Shri in 2015 and then made the chairperson of Central Board of Film Certification (2017). A creative person, who till now was considered a liberal even while supporting a certain ideology, lost the ‘liberal’ element, albeit in a subtle manner. Hence, it was all very palatable, till of course the recent ‘interaction with the Prime Minister- which sounded more like a well-orchestrated advertising campaign for the PM than any kind of spontaneous interaction.

Many people were curiously waiting to see how deftly the poetic genius of Prasoon Joshi asks PM ‘tough’ questions. But it turned out to be a complete washout with Prasoon Joshi simply admiring PM Modi’s struggles and successes.

The soul of a poet seemed dead when a member of the audience asked a question about the rapes in India. The PM gave a brief reply: “A rape is a rape, it shouldn’t be politicised.”

It’s ironical because it was his party people and supporters who initiated the process of politicising the brutal rape and murder of the eight-year-old in Kathua. But Prasoon Joshi did not focus on the issue. If you recall, he is the same person who wrote a heart-wrenching poem protesting the Nirbhaya rape incident, he is the same person who wrote a poem against the ill treatment of daughters in our society in very strong words:

Sharm aa rahi hai na?
Sharm aa rahi hai na uss samaj ko
jisne uske janm par khul ke jashn nahi manaya
Sharm aa rahi hai na uss pita ko
jisne uske hone par ek diya kam jalaya?
Sharm aa rahi hai na,
unn rasmo ko unn riwazon ko
unn beriyon ko, unn darwazon ko
Sharm aa rahi hai na un bujurgo ko
Jinhone uske astitva ko sirf andhere se jora

Sharm aa rahi hai na un duppatton ko un libason ko
jinhone use andar se toda
Sharm aa rahi hai na raajneeti ko, dharm ko jahan baar baar apmanit hue uske swapn

Aren’t you feeling ashamed?
Isn’t the society feeling ashamed
Which did not celebrate her birthday with all happiness
Isn’t that father feeling ashamed
Who lighted one lamp less than usual on her birthday?

Aren’t those customs, those traditions
Those shackles, those doors ashamed
Aren’t those elders ashamed
who tied her existence with darkness only?

Aren’t those scarves, those clothes feeling ashamed
Which shattered her from within
Isn’t the politics, the religion ashamed
Where her dreams were constantly humiliated

It is sad to see a liberal degenerate into a senseless promoter. But was it the advertising genius of the poet at work here? Even in advertising, those presentations are most effective which are subtle and shock our established chain of thought. If it was a part of PM Modi’s advertising campaign, then it was bad advertising.

May be, it is not only Prasoon Joshi, but many more such rational and liberal people who have given in to the irrational flairs of these times, who have focussed more on self interests than valuing their creative and intellectual freedom. It is just that in these irrational times, when it was imperative to raise the ‘finger of questions’, it is disheartening to see such people blindly toeing the line drawn by the rulers and the powerful