Wake Up BOLLYWOOD!

The cultural warlords are back to hounding Bollywood. At least this time, the filmwallas are showing at least some signs of resistance. A couple of days back, Raj Thakrey propelled MNS workers barged the sets of Excel Entertainment's film 'Crooked' starring Abhishek Bachchan. Their alleged grouse was the use of foreigners as dancers in the background during a song picturisation. The line producer of the film Vikesh Bhutani called up the police as the MNS goondas tried extorting money from him. The arrests were made but 11 MNS workers were later released on bail.

The latest Mumbai-Taliban-Forces are stating that foreigners shouldn't be used as extras in Hindi films. Instead, Indians ought to be given a chance. So, do the cultural thugs really care about Indians (or will they demand a quota here as well)? Is it another attempt at shutting-up the film world? Yes it is. Ironically, the usually volatile Abhishek Bachchan hasn't tweeted a word on the issue. Neither has Farhan Akhtar (he is the producer of Crooked). Nor have any of the other paper tigers of Bollywood. So, is it time to shut shop guys for you wouldn't speak for yourself anyways and you are such a bloody divided 'fraternity' that the word 'solidarity' doesn't seem to exist in your dictionary.

We've seen it during the recent MNIK controversy when Shahrukh Khan was being abused by the desperate-to-regain-some-lost-ground Bal Thakrey. I smsd some of the closest friends of SRK if they'd like to say anything on the matter. There was a haunting silence. The same friends started chirping-like-hot-popcorn, lots of twitter bonding started happening once the issue subsided, and everyone pretended as if nothing happened. People like Pooja Bhatt, Mahesh Bhatt and Salman Khan who openly defended SRK's right to freedom-of-speech were never thanked publicly.

I interviewed Karan Johar a few days back. While talking about his forthcoming films, he didn't mention anything about 'Dostana' Part 2. Why? Is it because the subject has light hearted reference to homo sexuality and that may earn the wrath of the Mumbai-Taliban? 'Dostana' was one of the funniest films made in the last few years. But yes Kjo has been subjected to constant pressure from fascist forces. Be it Wake Up Sid, Kurbaan and then MNIK, he has brushed with stiff resistance. If such nonsense dictates the content in Art, then it will be really unfortunate.

So, where are we heading for! Hindi films have been enriched by cultures of the whole of India. Bengali stalwarts like Bimal Roy, Hrishikesh Mukherji, Basu Chatterji or actresses like Sharmila Tagore, Rani Mukherji and Kajol have made a giant contribution to Hindi cinema. This is just one example. There are many examples from various regions of India. The way things are going, artistes from other states will stop keeping Bombay in their scheme of things. Maybe they'll go to other countries and make cinema. And win laurels for that country. Yes, it is very much possible.

If the film industry can't think up a plan of defending their right-to-creativity now, when will they! If a foreign actor/ actress is required, it must be allowed. If a pretty foreigner chick adds glamour quotient to a song, let it be. DO NOT cow down. And for God's sake, don't make the word 'fraternity' into a JOKE.