Classifying creativity in terms of religion, region, language or nationalism is absurd

Some of my acquaintances voice their disgust to my face. Others are more discreet. But while on my walks or at neighbourhood shops, the accusing faces seem to be asking the same question. How have you survived for so long in this terrible film industry?

Most of these people are convinced that people in the film industry are alcoholics, drug addicts, permissive in their personal lives and anti-nationals; that the industry is dominated by Muslims and morals are loose. That it does not function in national interest and it has connections with the underworld, with Pakistan and with dirty money in Dubai; that the industry needs a clean-up. This has been the result of a long and successful propaganda.

The RSS, Sanskar Bharti and other BJP and Sangh affiliates have been wooing the film industry for a long time. The exercise accelerated after 2014. But despite making efforts for the last six years, results have not been what the Sangh might have hoped for.

While Hindi film world has been largely conservative, orthodox and traditional, a part of it has always been progressive, not averse to side with the underdog and make films in public interest. Only two Hindi films made during the last six years----one on Prime Minister Modi and another on the former PM Dr Manmohan Singh based on the book ‘Accidental Prime Minister’—can be said to have been made to promote the party in power. But both these films were received indifferently. There have been other films produced to promote ‘New India’ and nationalistic sentiments. But they too have received lukewarm response.

Efforts by the BJP and the Sangh to woo the film industry intensified in 2015 when awards were being returned to protest against mob lynching and intolerance. Stung by the criticism, the Sangh hit back and mobilised trolling of artistes on social media. Some were directly asked to behave. Critics stopped receiving invitations to attend state functions or to be part of official delegations. Others were persuaded to speak up in favour of the Government. Now in 2020 the film world has a number of people prompting producers, directors and actors when to wish the Prime Minister and what.

Because of the pandemic, production of films has come to a standstill. New films are not being announced and films already made are not being released.

There is undoubtedly fear in the film world due to COVID as well as the signals the Government has been sending out. But significantly, only one section of the film world has been vocal and have been busy issuing statements. But large sections are absolutely quiet.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently alluded to the disappointment of the BJP with the film industry. While announcing an upcoming Film City on Yamuna Expressway close to Delhi NCR, he said, “ Hindi films have not fulfilled the expectations our country and culture has from them; somewhere we have missed the opportunity...” What is it that has been missed ?

Close relations between the film world and the Union Government are not new. Jawaharlal Nehru had personal relations with many of the stalwarts. It was due to his efforts that that the Film Institute, National Film Finance Corporation, CBFC etc. came up and film festivals were introduced. His successor Lal Bahadur Shashtri was so overwhelmed after watching ‘Shaheed’ that he requested Manoj Kumar to make a film on ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’. Inspired, Manoj Kumar finalised the script of Upkaar in the train while travelling back to Bombay.

His subsequent films were also imbued with nationalism—so much so that he began to be called Bharat Kumar. Mrs Indira Gandhi also continued with the tradition. She inspired film stars to visit border areas to entertain soldiers. Several film personalities were nominated to responsible posts and to the Rajya Sabha. While the relationship got strained during the Emergency, with a section of the film world coming out in opposition (Dev Anand even floated a political party), the blow-hot and blow-cold relationship between the political establishment in Delhi and the film world in Bombay have continued.

I recall what Shah Rukh Khan told me five years ago. I had asked for his reaction to the blow-back on ‘Award Wapsi’. And this is what he said, “Creativity, I believe, is secular and does not discriminate on the basis of region, religion or caste. Art is important, not the artist. Who cares from where the artist has come and whether she is Hindu or Muslim ? Creativity has no religion and when you try to see creativity through the lens of religion, you do a disservice to both art and the nation. We listen to songs without ever thinking about the religion of the artist...and that is because art and creativity transcend these artificial barriers.”

(The author is a veteran film critic based in Mumbai)