12 January,2010 08:59 AM IST | | Varun Singh
I am not too sure how many are aware about the controversy surrounding the Marathi movie Zenda. But it surely needs a mention. Its release date had to postponed after a stern protest by Revenue Minister Narayan Rane's son, Nitesh Rane. The movie based on the feud between Shiv Sena and MNS also showcases the other sidekicks including Rane to which, Nitesh has taken an offence. Strangely, we call ourselves the biggest democracy, but the basic 'freedom of expression' is curbed.
Just a few months ago, when the film, Wake Up Sid was released, the MNS objected to the use of word 'Bombay' in it. A disclaimer had to be put at the beginning of the film. I don't understand what difference the name makes. The city's conditionu00a0 has not changed even a bit even after renaming it. We still travel in crowded trains, roads are full of potholes and so on. All, including ministers have to face the brunt for expressing themselves.
We call ourselves the biggest democracy, but the basic 'freedom of expression' is curbed
The best example is Shashi Tharoor, whose tweets landed him in trouble. The so-called democratic government gagged him and issued orders against him for tweeting about policies. Poor Tharoor! Another instance is Kamaal R Khan's Deshdrohi that was never released in Mumbai. Movies like Sarkar and Sarkar Raj were screened before the Sena supremo and his family before being released. Protests happened against the Telugu actors who opposed the formation of a different state.u00a0
When will we become tolerant and accept that everyone has a different opinion? When will the politicians, who express whatever they feel, stop asking us to follow a prescribed line? When are we going to be a real democracy? It doesn't seem possible, at least in today's materialistic world.u00a0u00a0
However, certain gag orders need to be mentioned and I would like to propose some that would be in favour of the public. For instance, the gag order on Raj Thackeray after his hate speeches against North Indiansu00a0-- thank God the media started showing other news when once he stopped talking. Gag order on RGV for making films like RGV Ki Aag. On Himesh Reshammiya for torturing us with his nasal voice. Gag order on reality shows and even repeat telecasts of shows featuring Rakhi Sawant. I don't think people can bear her anymore. Meanwhile, the latestu00a0-- there is a fresh objection on the title of a Marathi movie named Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho.
