Back me up guys, I want to exerciseMY FREEDOM OF SPEECH
Mahesh Bhatt, the fountainhead of wisdom in the film industry, filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking to force theatre owners to show a movie in their theatres, claiming that the fundamental rights of expression of the movie maker were violated by not showing the movie in theatres.
The petition was one in which Mahesh Bhatt did not have a locus standi and even if he had, the argument to force theatre owners to show a movie was without any merit. It met the fate it was expected to and was summarily dismissed at the preliminary hearing stage itself. Mercifully, he did not ask the Court in the petition to compel even the public to go and watch the movie.
The absurdity of the grounds of the petition must have been known even to Mahesh Bhatt, intelligent as he appears to be, and definitely to his lawyers. Yet, he went ahead with the same. It is apparent that it was deliberately done merely to project himself as a saviour of Bollywood in times of need and in the bargain earn some more publicity. It was hardly meant to rescue Aamir Khan from the consequences of his actions in the name of exercising his freedom of speech.
The Supreme Court, in its brief order that consigned the Petition to the bin, had this to say:
“We are not inclined to entertain this petition in view of the relief sought for.
The writ petition is dismissed. However, we may add that if any exhibitor wants to screen the film and seeks protection of the police official, it goes without saying that the same shall be provided in accordance with law.”
Is the order not one of straightforward, summary dismissal? One would think so. The second part of the order is simply stating the position as it exists -even without the Petition -that if any exhibitor seeks protection of the police, it shall be granted in accordance with law.
But what does Aamir think of the order? He says:
“I welcome the Supreme Court stand on the release of Fanaa, asking the authorities to provide security to theatres wanting to screen the film.”
If Aamir interprets and projects the remarks of the Court as a “stand” taken by the Court on the release of his film, it only displays his own poor understanding or an unsuccessful attempt to fool the people.
Showing his grandiose self-importance, he goes on to put the entire blame on others, including the film fraternity.
With a view to make people believe that the opposition to his actions is not from the people of Gujarat but only from a small group, he says: “It is now upto the BJP Youth Wing workers to decide whether or not they want to respect the Supreme Court, freedom of speech and democracy.” Once again, he falsely implies that the Supreme Court has come out in his favour. Freedom of speech and democracy are the other two phrases he has learnt to use liberally to defend his own actions.
During his interview, he once again tried to unnecessarily drag the Supreme Court by saying : " If people want an apology from me, why do not they ask for apology also from the Supreme Court as I am saying the same thing that Supreme Court says." Also a couple of months back, sounding as important as Supreme Court, he had said in a show of conceit: " Supreme Court will be watching the progress (of rehabilitation) during the three months. Even I will also be observing the progress myself."
This time round he also tried to use some emotional stuff on the people of Gujarat, thus: “I would only like to appeal to the people of Gujarat not to be fooled by all the propaganda against me. They only have to look me in the eyes to realize the kind of love I have in my heart for Gujarat and its people.” Perhaps, his pretentious self does not let him realize that the people have been hurt by his actions, not by the look in his eyes. If he has even the slightest of concerns - forget love - he should try to show a willingness to understand the minds of the people.
To cap it all, he does not even spare his colleagues in the industry who made the mistake of speaking in his favour. According to a news report, he seemed disappointed at the kind of support he had received from the industry. "It is upto the film industry to decide what its future course of action is. The whole nation is watching to see whether it takes a concrete step, or whether it takes a weak step or nothing at all," he added, putting the entire burden of bailing him out on the film industry while he merrily continues to sing the tune of having the freedom to express his thoughts as he likes.
Bollywood, it seems, is damned either way – whether it supports him or does not support him.
It is still not late for the industry to realize the hazards of blindly supporting people having exaggerated ideas about their own importance as well as their own views on various issues and find itself in the wrong for doing so. Bollywood needs to reflect carefully on extending support in future to anyone in their industry who wants to exercise his or her own freedom of speech and expression without bearing the responsibility for the same. After all, Aamir or others who exercise their freedoms rather freely from time to time do not consult the industry before doing so.
This particulat instance is not an issue of freedom of expression in films, as for example, smoking scenes in movies, where the entire industry has a strong case against a government action (read this article). In this incident, Aamir, by his individual actions, has clearly offended the sentiments of a large number of people. It is the adamancy of one person refusing to appreciate the legitimate objections (see previous article) of millions of others that is preventing a solution to the impasse. Incidentally, it would be appropriate to cite the instance that is very much alive, relating to the candidature of industrialist Rahul Bajaj for Rajya Sabha. A major political party is opposed to his candidature ostensibly because he has been vociferous in expressing his views against the government's proposed policy on reservations. He has simply been exercising his freedom of speech and expression and yet, he has managed to offend a political party that swears by democratic traditions. Aamir, on the other hand, has succeeded in offending a large section of the public.
Having said all this, it is nontheless clear that Bollywood has always been weak in its ability to restrain its own flock. It is doubtful if it can make people like Aamir see reason and make amends for actions that not only result in great ill-will but also economic harm for the industry.
This time round he also tried to use some emotional stuff on the people of Gujarat, thus: “I would only like to appeal to the people of Gujarat not to be fooled by all the propaganda against me. They only have to look me in the eyes to realize the kind of love I have in my heart for Gujarat and its people.” Perhaps, his pretentious self does not let him realize that the people have been hurt by his actions, not by the look in his eyes. If he has even the slightest of concerns - forget love - he should try to show a willingness to understand the minds of the people.
To cap it all, he does not even spare his colleagues in the industry who made the mistake of speaking in his favour. According to a news report, he seemed disappointed at the kind of support he had received from the industry. "It is upto the film industry to decide what its future course of action is. The whole nation is watching to see whether it takes a concrete step, or whether it takes a weak step or nothing at all," he added, putting the entire burden of bailing him out on the film industry while he merrily continues to sing the tune of having the freedom to express his thoughts as he likes.
Bollywood, it seems, is damned either way – whether it supports him or does not support him.
It is still not late for the industry to realize the hazards of blindly supporting people having exaggerated ideas about their own importance as well as their own views on various issues and find itself in the wrong for doing so. Bollywood needs to reflect carefully on extending support in future to anyone in their industry who wants to exercise his or her own freedom of speech and expression without bearing the responsibility for the same. After all, Aamir or others who exercise their freedoms rather freely from time to time do not consult the industry before doing so.
This particulat instance is not an issue of freedom of expression in films, as for example, smoking scenes in movies, where the entire industry has a strong case against a government action (read this article). In this incident, Aamir, by his individual actions, has clearly offended the sentiments of a large number of people. It is the adamancy of one person refusing to appreciate the legitimate objections (see previous article) of millions of others that is preventing a solution to the impasse. Incidentally, it would be appropriate to cite the instance that is very much alive, relating to the candidature of industrialist Rahul Bajaj for Rajya Sabha. A major political party is opposed to his candidature ostensibly because he has been vociferous in expressing his views against the government's proposed policy on reservations. He has simply been exercising his freedom of speech and expression and yet, he has managed to offend a political party that swears by democratic traditions. Aamir, on the other hand, has succeeded in offending a large section of the public.
Having said all this, it is nontheless clear that Bollywood has always been weak in its ability to restrain its own flock. It is doubtful if it can make people like Aamir see reason and make amends for actions that not only result in great ill-will but also economic harm for the industry.
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