Responsibility of Freedom

“Sanjay Leela Bhansali slapped on the sets of Padmavati.” This news item flashed across the entire social media over the last weekend of January 2017. This is an act which is definitely condemnable. We cannot allow goondaraj in the name of censorship. The entire film industry and the liberals have come up with tweets showing solidarity with Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

The history we have read says, that Rani Padmini, when she heard that Allauddin Khilji had won the war, led all the royal women to self - immolation to protect their honour. While I am not, an authority of history, I will believe that this story is true. There is a rumour that the movie being filmed distorts history and depicts a love scene between Rani Padmini and Allauddin Khilji.

The tweets and views in the media defending Sanjay Leela Bhansali are interesting. There is a tweet which says that the incident is fictional and just the creation of a poet. A leading newspaper says that “Fictionalised Books or films based loosely on historical characters are a common phenomenon all over the world and artistes must be granted this creative licence.”

I would like to present an alternate view. The film industry, especially Bollywood have a huge influence on people. Stars like Salman Khan, Rajnikant, Aamir Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan have a huge fan following and have a demi god status. Accordingly they also have an impact on society. Any movie, or actions by them are replicated by both children and adults.

Once upon a time, movies were about the triumph of good over evil. Even in the masala potboilers of the 80s and 90s the hero always was a paragon of virtue and won over evil. Gabbar Singh or Mogambo may be lovable characters as villains, but they always lost in the end. The subtle underlying message was good always prevailed. Social issues like mother in laws ill-treating the daughter in law were brought to the fore with a positive message. I am sure Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge ensured quite a few majnus did not elope with their beloveds, but tried wooing the girl’s parents to ensure a happy marriage.

Slowly the narrative changed in the 90s with Darr and Bazigar. The heroes started acquiring shades of grey and were unapologetic about the same. The impact that they had on society is unimaginable. If today there is violence in society, to some extent Bollywood is to blame. Action is glorified in Bollywood movies. This is not to say that there was no violence earlier. But slowly the extent of violence increased.

While I don’t have research to back me up, but children don’t love studies. I don’t know whether it is the fault of the education system, or the teachers or the pedagogy. But the fact is a lot of studies are done to mug the facts and vomit them out during the exams and to be forgotten.

In light of this let us examine the role of movies. It is a medium with a very long reach. Every depiction of an historical character in the movie, is actually an education of masses. The movie makers are expected to conduct sufficient research before coming up with the script. An alternate view, or fictional interpretation of the character, can actually lead to people believing that this view is true, simply because people haven’t read history.

It is with this perspective in mind that the film industry needs to take responsibility. Every action has repercussions. If Sanjay Leela Bhansali has conceptualized a love scene between Allauddin Khilji and Rani Padmini, and has not anticipated negative reactions to the same, I think he is a fool. While I condemn violence, this does not absolve the filmmaker from his responsibility. Any alternate view has to be presented with sensibility and what impact it has on the audience. Shock treatment for commercial gains cannot be the end result of freedom of expression.

Every freedom has to be self-shackled by a sense of responsibility. The creative medium wants freedom, without wanting the responsibility attached to it. It is like a corporate CEO having the authority to spend but not wanting to be accountable for profits to the shareholders. A freedom given to a child about what and when to study or not to study, brings with it a responsibility to pass or score well in the exams. If the child does not pass the exams and does not get a job subsequently, don’t blame it on unfairness of the system. A freedom to dress as you wish does not mean, you go around roaming naked. No sir, freedom comes with great responsibility, and it is time Bollywood starts taking responsibility.

Over the last two years, the NDA Government is being accused of trying to rewrite history because they are rewriting textbooks. Isn’t Bollywood doing the same in the name of creative liberty?