Padmavati Controversy - Where are we headed as a nation?
A movie is a recorded sequence of film or video images displayed on a screen with sufficient rapidity as to create the illusion of motion and continuity. This work is as of art or entertainment, mostly fictional.
This is how a movie is defined. This is what the movies are made for. They are the source of entertainment. A get away from the regular monotonous life. Movies, which are fictional stories, created for the masses.
But when these movies or fictional content like these, become the topic of nation’s debate and priority of the media companies and newspapers, the first question which comes to my mind is, that where are we headed as a nation or as a person? Why is some fictional content, from the movie’s trailer, is being given so much importance and the farmers who have been protesting for their rights are being ignored. All this for TRP? When will we grow up? When will we address the larger issues at hand and ignore such minute, irrelevant controversies.
History is being dugged into, mass ruckus is happening in multiple states and debates are being held on every news channel. All of this on one movie trailer, which just shows us 3 minutes of the movie which is probably 2 hours long. How can we jump to a conclusion without even watching the entire film?
I am sure, Rani Padmavati, who not many people knew about, has become the chai pe charcha topic in every house, every nukkad, every barber’s corner, every office. Thanks to the Karni Sena and the lakhs of people who have created this issue, probably just to get attention and come on the TV screen, which they otherwise won’t.
Guys - You are now famous. You have come on the screen as well. Print those stills and get them framed. You have a life achievement to boast about now.
Everybody knows about history. History, as per definition, are the events which occurred in the past, some of which are recorded in various forms. Everybody also knows that, we are never sure what exactly happened in the past, because often, the facts get mutated and vandalised, with the ravages of time and travel. Most importantly, they get ravaged because of the human intervention. A simple game called Chinese Whispers explains the concept.
Such is also the case with the history of the queen of the Rajputs. Rani Padmavati, known as one of the most brave women and the most beautiful woman, wife to the King Ratan Sen, has been recorded in history by many people. One of them was Malik Muhammad Jayasi, who mentioned her in his poem - Padmavat, which was a fictionalised poem. Fictionalised is the word. Mind It.
There are at least 6 versions that I have heard about the Queen. None or any of them are true or not, we will never know. Read more - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/spotlight/rani-padmavati-history-know-the-complete-story-of-rani-padmavati/articleshow/61685630.cms
Now lets talk about the video song “Ghoomar”. Someone said that - “History has witnessed that none of the Rajput maharanis has ever danced in front of anyone, and they cannot play with history.”
My question is, were you there to see whether the queens of the kings danced or not? Dance is a form of expression and everyone has the right to do it and had it in the past as well. Why are we making it so objectionable? How come all the people got together to oppose one dance by Deepika Padukone and termed it as women being objectified. What about all the other movies that have been made in the past or will be made in the future?
Why don't we take care of our women at home, daughters and sisters, mothers and wives. Why do we still follow the age old, hideous traditions of female infanticide and domestic violence and rapes?
I am sure, if Rani Padmavati would have been alive today, she would have not agreed to all that is happening, in our country, in the name of history or politics or religion or caste, etc.
Thousands of children are malnourished, not getting a place to sleep, not getting to go to schools, women are being raped in broad daylight, children are being molested and yet what becomes the nation’s debate priority is whether the movie Padmavati should be banned or not.
Someone from Gujarat said that Bhansali has "distorted the historical facts in the movie.” My dear friend - this is a fictional work and it is based on a history, which is already distorted. I am sure that if we assemble 100 men in one room and ask them to recite Queen Padmavati’s story, one by one, everyone will have a different version.
It is here, that I agree with the statement made by Mr. Manoj Kumar, that it is the fault of both the parties. It is the fault of both Bhansali and also the Karni Sena / Rajputs. They should have sorted out his issue, by themselves. Bhansali could have done a show for them and could have got over with this issue, small in nature, made to be big.
It raises my final question that is all of this intentional and purposely done, so as to attract a hundred thousand more eyes, so as to give it a commercial angle. When will this stop?
When will we all grow as a nation? When will we define our priorities right? when will we tackle the bigger issues at hand? When will religion, caste, colour, sex, money not be the reason for differentiation? When will be first become human and later anything else?
P.S. - These are my personal views, not written to ignite any more controversy and not to hurt anyone’s or any group’s sentiments.