Jha, who is known to make slice-of-life movies which question stereotypes and challenge conventional accepted societal norms; is not new to controversies. Let us trudge back (or should I say stagger back) a year into the past when his previous offering AARAKSHAN : RESERVATION had run into rough weathers.
And what a media ringmarole it had become!!!! Our ever-so-busy-to-attend-to-work politicians gunned after Jha for a preview of the movie claiming that the movie hurt the Dalit sentiment and that the film had all the characteristics of causing communal or social unrest.
The movie was initially banned in the states of UP, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab fearing social backlash and loss of the vote bank.
But what a cinematic climax this circus had and how!!!!
As anticipated, the release of the movie saw a huge unrest and there were a plethora of protest marches, litigations against Jha, silent protests etc... but from the most unexpected quarters of the civil society!!!!!
The COCKERS (COaching Classes for Knowledge and Education Repletion from the Society) took law into their own hands and went on a rampage across theatres showing AARAKSHAN. Otherwise silent, mild mannered and docile professors could be seen pelting stones and shouting slogans at these marches.
The COCKERS objected to the incorrect portrayal of their business and trade. They objected to the fact that the movie would corrupt the young impressionable minds of the students and may actually encourage them to start going to college and attend lectures. Demands were made that the last budget's taxes levied on this trade be revoked!!!
At the end, like in most real life stories, well, nothing much happened. The movie ran successfully and raked in huge profits and the protests weened out as the exam season was approaching.
The annual awards season saw a slew of trophies being bagged by the ARAKSHAN cast and crew.
Coming back to the present...
ARRACKshun has run into rough weathers and this time the protests are more poignant, stronger, intensive and SPIRITED!!!!
The movie supposedly tries to uphold the practice of abstinence as the core theme of its story... or so are the rumours doing the rounds. If the promos are any indication, not much is evident from the songs being aired on the TV channels. There is one bar song with guest appearances from Raja Chaudhury, Salman Khan, Aditya Panscholi, Dharampa ji... basically our tinseltown personalities with a leaning towards Bachchus!!!
Political leaders are demanding individual exclusive screenings of the movie prior to it's release and Jha is in no mood to relent this time. The movie is also facing huge threat of ligitation from BEVDAS (BEVerages DAarus and Sharaabs)- an obscure unknown local hooch union that the movie is threatening their livelihood and this is in direct conflict with the fundamental rights of citizens under the constitution.
Kerala has banned the movie giving a justification that the name of the movie is an insult on the state drink Arrack. If ARRACK is shunned, the Govt. feared large scale dehydration.
Punjab has banned the movie. The justification being if the movie is anti-drinking, what would a normal Punjabi do after sun sets if he does not drink. This is also in conjunction where Govt of Punjab in association with the erstwhile Royal Family of Patiala is trying to patent the Patiala Peg across the globe. The movie has come in at the wrong time!!!!
Uttar Pradesh has banned the movie. The justification being law and order problems. So much bribes are taken to give the THEKA licenses that people may result in violence if the movie is released.
Goa has banned the movie. The justification being that it may adversely impact tourism and Feni consumption.
Maharashtra has allowed only citizens less than 25 years to watch the movie. The logic being, one needs to be 25 to consume alcohol so no point in fearing any backlash from the non consuming age group!!!
West Bengal has banned the movie. The justification being.... well does one need any justification to ban things in WB?
The only state which has whole-heartedly welcomed the movie release has been Gujarat. Narendrabhai Modi has requested Jha to hold a special premiere in Gujarat for his movie.
Jha is planning to move Supreme Court against the state bans. He is arguing that let the masses first watch the movie and then decide if it is objectionable or not.
He has now realized that let better sense prevail. He is adopting the same strategy he opted for his last movie - release the movie wherever there are no bans, after the first day, most states will just quietely revoke the ban.
What is in store for ARRACKshun when the movie hits the screens? Will there be another faux pas like AARAKSHAN's supposed-take on reservation but eventual take on COCKERS?
Time will tell......
Or my next piece....
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