Why no one is empathizing with Big B and SRK?

By S Abul Hasan,

Mumbai, Sept 11, 2008: Big B and SRK are facing attack from Thackerays and I am amazed that no one is empathizing with the two Bollywwod superstars.

Amitabh Bachchan is the bhishmpitamah of Indian film industry and is respected across the board for not only his acting skills but the way he has conducted himself over the years. He has been an elected Lok Sabha MP and his wife Jaya Bachcan is a sitting Rajya Sabha MP. Their son and daughter in law Abhishek and Aishwarya are also celebrated Bollywood stars.

Shah Rukh Khan is the reigning super star of Indian film industry and is loved and revered across the country. He is very popular among both Indian audience and foreigners abroad. The stampede at Berlin Film Fest early this year to have a look of Indian superstar is a proof enough to show his popularity.

Both Amitabh and Shah Rukh have proved themselves. I am amazed that why our system is allowing a few hoodlums to not only attack these two super stars and other non Marathis but also no one is coming forward to empathise with the two.

Amitabh Bachchan was forced to tender his apology on behalf of his wife to get a nod from Raj Thackeray to allow his and his family’s films being screened at Mumbai theatres.

He said, “I immediately therefore sent an sms to Jaya stating that -The casual off the cuff remarks made by her at the music launch function were without malice or deliberate intent, but if it has caused hurt to the sentiments of Maharashtra, Maharashtrians and indeed the city and citizens of Mumbai, then she must seek regret and offer apology. Everything that we possess today is what came to us from this great state and city. We never have and never can look at Maharashtra with disrespect. If inadvertently this is what has been construed, then we apologize and are sorry and seek forgiveness for any sentiments that have been hurt”.

This is amazing that when he says that when Jaya’s comment was not anti-Marathi then why he asked a Rajya Sabha MP to apologize for something she had not done. “Jaya’s remark does not in any manner sound anti Marathi. There is no denigration. But words have a funny way of being mutilated to suit a particular copy or expression, in its interpretation. At best they were more pro official/national. But nationalism is often anathema to the excessive tabloidised nature of the times of these days. And did not work. So the next best was glamorized and hence perhaps the strong reactions” Big B added.

Thackerays seem to be at their old game again. At helm it may not be Bal Thackeray who put the whole Maharashtra on flames several times for his narrow political goal, the same game is being played by his nephew Raj Thackeray who parted ways with his uncle some years ago.

People have still to forget how the senior Thackeray drove the state to communal inferno in the year 1992 after the demolition of Babri Masjid or earlier during his anti-South Indian campaigns.

Thousands of people were slaughtered in Mumbai and in towns like Bhiwandi and Thane during the ghastly riots that were masterminded by senior Thackerays organization Shiv Sena in the wake of Babri mosque demolition.

Now the same game is being played by his nephew whose organization has failed to attract much attention. So he is using the anti-north Indian card, that he thought may get him some extra vote.

It was just in February early this year when the whole state suffered enormously by his irresponsible talk and rabble rouser attitude. North Indians in the whole state were targeted, brutally beaten up and several people were killed in cold blooded manner by his rampaging cadres.

Now again he is preparing the similar ground. He has announced to ban movies featuring Bachchans. Bachchans’ are the first family of Indian cinema and enjoy largest fan following in the country.

Raj Thackeray’s MNS has been trying to attract attention by campaigning for using Marathi language in every walk of life. He has said that Marathi be made compulsory in all schools within Maharasthra.

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