After intense political pressure, director Prakash Jha finally agreed to delete some scenes from his latest film Aarakshan. But that didn’t help the cause much as the film is still banned in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
Now the director has moved the Apex court for justice. While Jha fights for Aarakshan’s fate in these states, the debate has sparked off responses from the film fraternity, who are supporting the director by posting tweets against the ban.
Actor Anupam Kher, in his tweet, calls the ban a political agenda. “Aarakshan is a victim of today’s dirty Politics. Movies don’t have agendas, politicians do.:),” reads his tweet.
Many feel the movie is being targeted because it was trying to portray reality. Others press the need for a body that can protect it from groups which interfere with the freedom of expression in films. Says director Karan Johar in his tweet, “Cinema is a medium of expression...democracy allows the freedom of expression...is this only in theory??? And who stands accountable?? SAD.”
According to musician Vishal Dadlani, realistic cinema is suffering at the hands of politicians. “Make a film about an important socio-political issue. Get banned! This is why we can’t make real films.”
Actor-director Farhan Akhtar offered full support to the film by tweeting, “For the record. I am against the ban on Aarakshan. I hope better sense will prevail and that it will release in all states asap.”
For most people in the film fraternity, such a ban is a threat to their creative freedom. Says filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, “It is really sad that states are banning AARAKSHAN. Should we filmmakers from now on start making Cartoon films?”
Advertising industry player Suhel Seth further says that Indian politicians are just being “paranoid”. “Aarakshan is a film for God’s sake. We can’t be paranoid and have creativity held hostage by lunatic politicians!!!”