MASKED MUMBAI MOVIE AGENDA OR IS IT TOO MUCH OF A SUPPOSITION?

MASKED MUMBAI MOVIE AGENDA OR IS IT TOO MUCH OF A SUPPOSITION? 

In 'Sholay' fun has been made of Hindu idolatry but Islam has been painted pure in the light of the Imam Sāhāb's perfect demeanour in the teeth of great personal loss, that of progeny. The deft message subtly delivered about the sanctity and solemnity of masjid and namāz as opposed to the jest implicit in Basanti getting deluded by Veeru proxying for Bhagavān Shiva from behind his idol does send some subtle signals. To the suspecting mind it seems, perhaps duly, perhaps unduly, that there has been a hidden agenda in Mumbai film-making in so far as furthering Islamic interests and undermining Hindu interests is concerned. But is that so? Every other script writer takes the occasional liberty with Hindu Gods and Goddesses but none dares to do so with Islamic practices and beliefs. Is it not so? While I am for literary license and artistic freedom, I see that it is a one-way traffic in India with Hinduism the 'target' or the focal point of fun while Islam stands as if sacrosanct as the great faith free from such dared profanity. 

Written by Sugata Bose