Da Vinci Code - the controversy..

The recent controversy about the release of the movie across theaters in India looks like coming to an end (may be temporary). Government and CBFS yesterday cleared for viewing. There was no cut made in the film, but it is getting released with “A” category. Also on demand from Christian groups, there will be a disclaimer in start and end of the movie (for about 15 seconds) claiming that the movie is total work of fiction.

One glitch here is that, distributor Sony Pictures releasing India, has pulled the movie out of theater yesterday. They did it, as they still have not got the CBFS certificate, and no movie can be screened in any theater without the certificate. So may be India will have to wait for another day or two before the code reveals.

Was this controversy needed? Could we have avoided it?

I think it was needed, though there can not be many justifiable reasons. And for any reason we could not have avoided it. So it is better I look at the positive side of the effect of controversy. Some of them might look like a joke but I think they all are true. Here is my take –

• The movie is facing worldwide demonstration, how could it not face any problem from Catholic groups in India. It shows that our catholic groups have the same faith as the other world.

• If it had released without any hype and controversy, half the India would not have knows about the movie and book only. Now because of really good coverage by media, every Tom Dick and Harry will be knowing about Da Vinci Code. Many of them will read the book. As of my experience, it’s a really nice book to read.

• Today good English movies are released only in big cities and may be in tier II cities. For many other cities from tier III category, English movies only mean those action packed Hollywood crap. Now after watching all the controversy, people from those cities will also tempt to see some good acting from Tom Hanks. They will realize that Hollywood is not just action.

• For people in metros also, it has created enough curiosity, so people will just flood once it comes to theaters. Good for the movie.

• Luckily it did not face any cut while in hands of CBFS. Getting an 'A' rating will not affect the collection much. And about that disclaimer, who watches it? Everybody is in process of adjusting in the confy seats of a multiplex while they show it.

• The controversy was good for people like me. I never knew that we had more than 230 representatives from catholic Christian community. I used to think only Hindus have that many divisions. :-)
  

Just one word of caution for everyone. Still there may be some troubles on the theaters while screening of movie, coz we never know mood of the crowd. So watch it with great care.
Enjoy…

Let the truth reveal..