Film industry in \'dangal\' over Lok Sabha polls

Film industry in 'dangal' over Lok Sabha polls

IANS  |  New Delhi 

In one of India's most defining elections, the film fraternity is visibly divided over support for the competing political parties.

Sample movies that have been pointed out for political propaganda in the run-up to the polls: 'The Accidental Prime Minister', 'Thackeray', 'Uri - The Surgical Strike', 'Laxmi's NTR', 'Udyama Simham' and the stalled film 'PM Narendra Modi'.

The employed Bollywood's soft power, engaging stars such as Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, A.R. Rahman, and Through them, the on its platform appealed to citizens to come out and vote.

And the recently mobilised to send out a Bollywood celeb-led message to citizens: "Vote karo, magar soch samajh ke" via a video featuring Kalki Koechlin, Varun Grover, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Nandita Das, Swara Bhasker, Vishal Dadlani, and many more.

told IANS: "In a democratic country, any kind of opinion should be encouraged as long it is not abusive. Our industry is not different. Diverse opinions are welcome. We should, however, respect each others' views and try not to target each other for supporting a particular ideology."

Last month, over 100 artistes -- largely from the independent cinema space -- issued an appeal urging Indians not to vote in the Lok Sabha elections as it is responsible for "unleashing of polarisation and hate politics; cow vigilantism; marginalisation of Dalits, Muslims and farmers and increasing censorship".

Days later, over 600 artistes, including film and theatre celebrities Amol Palekar, Naseeruddin Shah, and Lillette Dubey, came out with another anti-BJP appeal citing it as a force "of religious sectarianism, chauvinism, narrowness and irrationality".

On April 10, Vivek Anand Oberoi, Pandit Jasraj, Shankar Mahadevan, Kuchipudi dancing duo Raja-Radha Reddy, theatre artiste Waman Kendre, Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar and Statue of Ram Sutar, asked voters to support the BJP.

National-Award winning B, who has directed 'PM Narendra Modi', sees the film fraternity's indulgence in different arenas of politics as a "celebration of democracy".

"Let's stop thinking that differing opinions imply division. We are a democracy and that means celebrating differences. Everyone is entitled to one's political opinion. Let's respect that," Omung told IANS.

'Bhonsle' Devashish Makhija, among those who made an anti-BJP appeal, said: "Artistes are united through their art. Individuals always have different political ideas. I define my art. My art doesn't define me. I might differ from another politically, but that doesn't stop me from making my art along with that person.

"If some people see a divide, then they probably want it to be there."

But when veteran Anupam Kher, a vociferous BJP supporter who played former in "The Accidental Prime Minister", pointed out his colleagues for signing the anti-BJP appeal, the schism was even more pronounced.

"Some people from my fraternity have issued a letter for public to vote out the present constitutionally elected government in the coming elections. In other words they are officially campaigning for opposition parties. Good! At least there are no pretensions here. Great," he wrote on days after the appeal was signed.

But Anupam's tweet did not go well with Swara Bhasker and veteran Soni Razdan, leading to a debate of sorts. Swara's tilt has been apparent with her recent campaigning for CPI candidate

With a stream of star candidates campaigning and fighting it out, there is a massive and unprecedented participation from

Among a host of others, 'Rangeela' took a political plunge in March by joining Congress, and actor-activist Prakash Raj is contesting from Bengaluru Central as an independent.

The seven-phase Lok Sabha elections, which began on Thursday, will run till May 19. The results will be announced on May 23.

(Simran Sethi can be contacted at simran.s@ians.in)

--IANS

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First Published: Thu, April 11 2019. 17:28 IST