Indian filmstars from the big world of Bollywood have no limits to the levels they stoop down to in order to promote their films. Promos, challenges, giveaways are usually carried out before a film is launched to give publicity to their upcoming movies, but some people go quite too far. Some celebreties do not hesitate for even a second before setting on the path to humiliate their religion, culture or nation in order to gain cheap traction. They try to stir a controversy to help their failing careers and their below par movies, knowing too well that any popularity is good popularity. Touted by many to be an untalented actress ,Sonam Kapoor, who wouldn’t have made it this far were it not for her affiliation to her father Anil Kapoor, along with infamously vocal Swara Bhaskar had done the same in the recent past. They were supported by a senior actress who hails from Bollywood’s leading family, Kareena Kapoor Khan, who was also their co-actress in the upcoming movie. Their placard holding façade didn’t help them and they faced backlash for framing an entire religion and country for the acts committed by a few. We believe they would have chosen to do so differently had they realized the damage their stance could have done to the image of our country, but then again anyone coming from the Bollywood fraternity shouldn’t be held liable for taking part in a cause they seldom understand. For them, it is simply free PR and nothing else. India rejected their stance unanimously and their movies are being banned in Pakistan.
Pakistan has banned the movie Veere di Wedding from being displayed in its cinemas and multiplexes, citing “vulgar dialogues and obscene scenes” in the movie. Danyal Gilani, Chairman of Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC), used social media to tell IANS, “Members of the CBFC unanimously decided to not allow the film for public exhibition in the cinemas as its content flouts the Censorship of Film Code 1980.” The decision by Pakistan CBFC was taken after a special movie screening for CBFC held on Tuesday night. According to the Express Tribune, the distribution board has also issued withdrawal of the application which was submitted for certification after the movie screening. The members of CBFC widely criticized the movie following which the decision to withdraw applications was taken by the distribution board.
The actresses of Veere di Wedding in the past have gone all out from time to time to showcase their ‘secular’ credentials. From Kareena Kapoor Khan’s claim that she could pass off as a Pakistani and expressing her affection for her Pakistani fans, to Swara Bhaskar’s proclamation that she loved Pakistan. The actresses from the movie have tried countless times in the past to please their favourite country and its people.
I can pass off as a Pakistani: Kareena Kapoor
Lahore is more beautiful than London, New York and Istanbul – Swara Bhaskar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSRjkOP21tw
The countless rejections they have received in the past from Pakistan don’t seem to have dissuaded them in their efforts to project themselves as “modern liberals”. Sonam Kapoor starrer “Neerja”, based on real incidents which took place during the hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73, was earlier banned in Pakistan because the movie showed Pakistan in a bad light. All these incidents have failed to open the eyes of these liberal gangs of Bollywood who have time and again tried to gain acceptance as a pro-Pakistan figure amongst liberals in India and Pakistan, while Pakistan’s population has never cared two bits about these ‘phenomenal’ actresses. Rejection by Pakistan CBFC is a fitting reply to these liberal minds who believe they can speak their heart out to hurt the sentiments of the majority population in India. Their anti-India rants on social media and in news conferences are nothing more than a ploy to save their failing careers. Labelling an entire community as rapists after the Kathua incident was particularly disheartening to see. Their prominent use of the name of the temple, signifying that Hinduism had a role to play in the gruesome act was infuriating. These so-called superstars forget that the same people whom they had tried to project as ‘rapists’, are the ones that gave them the star value they so relish.
The rejection of Veere di Wedding by Pakistan should open their eyes towards the ground reality and make them realize the immense privilege they enjoy in India. They should register that their sub par acting skills cannot remain hidden behind a placard anymore. An apology after the placard incident would have been nice; their defiance was nothing but mere arrogance and bigotry. Pakistan through its actions has given a nice fitting reply to the content of their film.
This is not a call for the boycotting of the film, but rather, the raising of a question of much greater significance. Are you giving power in the wrong hands by supporting self validating celebrities?