Anurag Kashyap’s Twitter Rant: Good Idea But Badly Scripted

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Twitter users were in for a surprise and also shock when Anurag Kashyap wrote a series of tweets showing his support for Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’s peaceful release. He also criticized the government for not taking any action against troublemakers who have promised to stall the release of Karan Johar’s Diwali release. After the Uri attacks last month on September 18 in which 19 of our soldiers died, the hate for Pakistan has increased manifold. Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, that features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, was heavily criticized. Taking advantage of the situation, Ameya Khopkar, who heads the cine wing of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), publicly declared that his men won’t allow the release of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. He asked KJo to replace Fawad.

In the past, theatres have been attacked by these opportunistic elements with sufficient manpower. Most single screens don’t want a repeat of such attacks. Hence, that’s the reason probably why Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association of India (COEAI) decided not to release films featuring Pakistani actors in their region (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa). This is an unfortunate move; if implemented, the collections of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil can suffer a great deal.

What’s surprising is that the government is totally silent on this entire issue. Till date, there has been no attempt made by the Government of Maharashtra to curb down Ameya Khopkar and to assure Karan and co-producers Fox Star Studios that Ae Dil Hai Mushkil will release without any issue. Has that happened till date? And is there any guarantee that it will happen in future? Ameya is issuing threats and this is an illegal offence. The government can immediately arrest him and do a crackdown on the activities of such troublemakers. There’s absolutely no fear of law among these goondas. If the government takes strictest action against such goons, they would think twice before targeting any film on Indian soil. Sadly, that hasn’t happened. Even the previous government did nothing to assure filmmakers of the safety of their films.

And that’s the reason perhaps why Anurag chose to directly question the Prime Minister. By asking him whether he apologized for going to Pakistan last year, he’s making a sarcastic taunt on all those who have questioned Karan for taking up Fawad and why he has remained silent. Karan Johar shot for this film at the same time that Mr Modi went to Pakistan to celebrate the birthday of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. It’s not like KJo casted Fawad specifically after Uri Attacks. Also, the haters of Karan are totally silent on the trade that has been going uninterrupted since a long time between the  2 countries, even after the Uri Attack and the surgical strikes

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Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has been in the forefront of trying to thwart Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and questions are raised why he is not attacking them and instead, is questioning the PM. It is because, as said above, it’s the government’s silence that has given MNS the power to make such threatening comments.

Unfortunately, the way Anurag executed his whole idea was not justified. Just like how most people are not able to understand his films, similarly most people haven’t understood the subtle hints that he has made in his series of tweets. It is shocking to see how people have reacted to his tweets and how they have interpreted it. But then, Anurag also should have been a bit responsible in writing down his feelings. He should have realized that he is questioning those who are extremely rigid and who sadly are lot in number. Even if they understood what he’s trying to convey, they will chose to attack him and that’s what has happened.

10 days are left for Ae Dil Hai Mushkil to release. At a press conference by Mumbai Police today, it was assured that cinema theatres showing the film will be granted protection. Again, there has been no explanation as to why MNS is not being gagged. Here’s hoping Ae Dil Hai Mushkil manages to get a peaceful release. God forbid if it doesn’t, then Anurag’s words will sting those who have been opposing him.

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