no fun for fanaa in Gujarat

Fearing attacks on theatres in the state, the Multiplex Association of Gujarat has decided not to screen Aamir Khan's forthcoming film Fanaa.

Here is one version of the controversy:

The decision comes after violent protests in cities including Ahmedabad and Vadodara, following Aamir's remarks against the Gujarat government and Chief Minister Narendra Modi a few weeks ago.

According to Manubhai S Patel, president of the Multiplex Association of Gujarat and chairman of city-based multiplex Wide Angle, some multiplexes had to stop screening Aamir's last film Rang De Basanti mid-way after an agitation against the actor over his remarks in connection with the Narmada dam intensified. "We do not want property damaged nor do we want movie buffs coming to see other movies harassed in any manner," he said, adding that there was no political interference in the decision. Read the full story here

There is another side of the picture:

As mentioned in some of the reports, Yashraj Films, Fanaa's producers, were forcing a hike in multiplex ticket rates for the film, and wanted to negotiate a better share of the profits. Things haven't been clear till now. Read the full story here.

What is the reality? Let’s try to see in more details.

While extending support to the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), Bollywood star Aamir Khan may not have imagined that his new film 'Fanaa' - meaning destroyed in love - would have to pay a price for it in Gujarat.
A month after Aamir advocated proper rehabilitation of Narmada dam, the anger of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that strongly supports the project is very evident.

'We have made it clear from the very first day that Aamir Khan must apologize to Gujaratis for his anti-Narmada comments. If he does so, we will allow the screening of his films,' said Amit Thaker, president of the youth wing of the BJP, Ahmedabad. Oh so Mr. Thakar is the leader of Gujaratis !! What the helll…
Gujarat Cinema Association president Harish Patel agreed.
'Aamir Khan, with all his ignorance on the Narmada issue, plunged into the controversy and the words he used cannot be tolerated,' he said. So Mr. Harish too is one Mr. Wannabe !!
'How can we exhibit Aamir Khan's film when he spoke against the state without knowing anything? His statement was a hindrance in the progress of our state. It was like denying the benefit of the Narmada waters to the state,' argued Manubhai Patel, president of the Multiplexes' Association in Gujarat. Check here that it’s the same Manubahai.
But most are silent over the fact that the film star only spoke about rehabilitating people displaced by the project and did not comment on the height of the dam - an issue that lies at the heart of the controversy.
When asked about that, Patel evaded a direct answer, saying: 'He should not have said anything, particularly when he didn't know anything.' What an intelligent answer !! Only Mr. Patel is authosized to say something on Narmada Issue. !!
Congress spokesperson Hasmukh Patel distanced the party from the issue: 'This is nothing but the BJP's communal colour because the film star is a Muslim. The issue is a commercial one and not political. We have nothing to do with it.'

Incidentally, youth Congress activists were part of the mob that had stalled the screening of 'Rang De Basanti' a month ago. Can people like Hasmukhk Patel be thrown out of country? They claim to be secular and still try to play such a cheap political game.
Fact remains that Aamir, by speaking for dam oustees and by criticising the Gujarat government for the Vadodara violence earlier this month, has definitely offended the ruling party, if not the people of Gujarat. And this seems to be the only reason for no release of the movie in multiplexes. Yashraj Films is trying to play safe by trying to hide the real issue coz everyone knows there is no solution to the real problem. The dictatorship in Gujrat will not change.