Kolkata International Film Festival: Reel is the best thing that people relate to. But sometimes, it plays them unknowingly. In recent times, several actors used their aura to whitewash reality. This time it’s Mr. Big B and the overcritical Shah Rukh Khan.
Kolkata International Film Festival – Raising hypothetical unrest
Speaking at Kolkata International Film Festival on Thursday, Amitabh Bachchan said that questions are being raised on the freedom of expression when it comes to cinema even today. Shah Rukh, on the other hand, accepted the power of social media as a shaper of collective narrative of the time. But Khan also criticised it by saying that it is driven by a certain narrowness of view that limits human nature to itself and cinema has a role to play regarding that. The statement came after the trend on social media calling for the boycott of his upcoming movie “Pathaan”
Though the questions of civil liberties are always vital to address, the situation and occasions defines what is the real narrative behind it. As far as freedom of expression is concerned, India has it more than most nations.
Few days ago, even a hateful remark on PM asking to kill him was provided with a tacit consent by the opposition. To talk specifically about Bollywood, does the recent time even equate to 1975, when Kishor Kumar’s songs were banned from All India Radio and Doordarshan for not obeying the orders of Indira Gandhi.
Also read: Shahrukh Khan for brand ambassador, but Dada for votes – Mamata’s crooked politics
Unveiling the obscure
Didi’s Bengal has always been the epitome of harasser when it comes to civil liberties. It is a well-known fact that political violence under the Mamata regime has destroyed the civil liberties of not only leaders of opposition but also the supporters of different parties.
According to NCRB data, Bengal topped the chart in political murders in 2019. Former ADG and whistle-blower IPS officer, Nazrul Islam feels that the “politicisation of police force” is the key reason for the “prevailing lawlessness”.
As per Home Ministry data, 693 cases of political violence took place leading to 11 deaths. Erstwhile panchayat elections of 2018 were held with 23 deaths on and a day before polling. The atrocities in the aftermath of 2021 election can be viewed as democide (democratic murder). According to a five-judge bench, “women were raped and house of persons who had not supported the party in power were demolished.”
Obviously, both the actors are not unaware of these facts. But what to do with the facts! The statements are actually not to raise concern over freedom of expression and narrowness in social media but are to misguide the society. The misconception is being created to back Mamata’s aspiration of becoming the Prime Minister.
Also read: Mamata Banerjee, Political Violence & Bengal: This data will shock you to the core
Didi’s desperation to become Prime Minister
Mamata Banerjee has always aspired for the office of the Prime Minister. No serious political challenge in home state since 2011 has provided her the wings to fly for Delhi before 2019. She organised Mega Unity Rally in January 2019 at Kolkata’s Brigade Ground for opposition unity but did not succeed to push herself through the tussle.
More recently, in 2022 Goa elections, TMC failed miserably, acquiring none of 26 contested seats. It is evident that she is looking for a new idea to sustain her aspirations and consequently, this is the result.
Beware India
In a recent remark after Kolkata International Film Festival incident, Mamata Banerjee demanded Bharat Ratan for Amitabh Bachchan. No doubt! He deserves it. He is a wonderful actor, also known as “star of the millennium”. But it was not Mamata’s love for his work, it was for making a statement at the KIFF. The timing of such demand itself proclaims the idea of “give and take”.
It looks like Mamata is following the footsteps of most other opposition leaders who seek actors and activists to prove their political genuinity to the masses. In doing so, Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan have become like a “Karyakarta” of Mamata’s PM dream.
In a country of about 1.4 crores, issues are non-exhaustive. But creating an irresponsible and incorrect narrative for the political and personal gains can become a reason for unrest to prevail. People need to look around and analyse the reality instead of indulging themselves in the political statements of such newfound ‘Karyakartas’.
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