SRK & Kamal Haasan victims of cultural terrorism - Page 4

Originally posted by: likarsh

MF Hussain is brought into the mix because Kamal Haasan himself brought up the name as an example of moving to a secular country. The irony of course is that MF Hussain didn't move to a secular country. He spent most of his time in countries that allowed him to his particular artistic freedom, but secular countries they were not.

And he should have the right to draw pictures of nude deities. People can complain, boycott or protest. But the governments and courts should not infringe upon that right just because it 'hurts religious sentiments. But unfortunately such is not the case in many countries, which dictate that people don't have the right to artistic freedom if it hurts religious sentiments. 🥱

It's absolutely shameful that Kamal Haasan has to cut scenes just to appease some of these 'objectors.' It's not so far off from MF Hussain. There were those who defended him and didn't think he hurt religious sentiments. But there were those who filed complaints and protested. Not so different from Kamal Haasan's situation. Many say there's nothing wrong with it, but then there are those who insist it hurts their religious sentiments.

Slippery slope, when some are given more validity than others.

Originally posted by: blue-ice

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Its all right Skep...I don't mind the bashers...I do mind the hypocrisy...and not talking about this forum but in general...

I do understand that KH is much more revered and talented than SRK or for that matter anyone in BW...but the lesser mortals deserve fairness too...thats the only point I want to make...

Yeah they deserve fairness but it's just that lot of factors come into play in SRK's case and result in bashing. The recent Indo-Pak tension and verbal spats between leaders was already on, at a time when this article came and opportunists on other side of the border used SRK to portray entire Indian state negatively. His own past reputation, frequent controversies spoil it more.

Honestly even before the article came out or controversy happened, I was kind of irritated with that Outlook cover. I mean why not keep a secular image? Why does he have to speak about being a Khan and that too in a post 9/11 world? It seemed like an attempt to project himself as Muslim icon (frankly I find it no less of an image building exercise as Aamir's columns on every social issue in recent years).

I dislike when people don't keep religion personal. I'd equally hate if Bachchan wrote on Being a Hindu.

If stars discuss their religious identity issues publicly then they are giving open invitation to anyone else to make a public issue of their religious identity as well. Pakistani politician did try to use his statements in his anti India agenda. Indians erupted due to that, and not because of the article as such.

Originally posted by: Skepblun

Yeah they deserve fairness but it's just that lot of factors come into play in SRK's case and result in bashing. The recent Indo-Pak tension and verbal spats between leaders was already on, at a time when this article came and opportunists on other side of the border used SRK to portray entire Indian state negatively. His own past reputation, frequent controversies spoil it more.

Honestly even before the article came out or controversy happened, I was kind of irritated with that Outlook cover. I mean why not keep a secular image? Why does he have to speak about being a Khan and that too in a post 9/11 world? It seemed like an attempt to project himself as Muslim icon (frankly I find it no less of an image building exercise as Aamir's columns on every social issue in recent years).

I dislike when people don't keep religion personal. I'd equally hate if Bachchan wrote on Being a Hindu.

If stars discuss their religious identity issues publicly then they are giving open invitation to anyone else to make a public issue of their religious identity as well. Pakistani politician did try to use his statements in his anti India agenda. Indians erupted due to that, and not because of the article as such.

Originally posted by: MithiBani

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I don't think anyone from the minority community( I hate that term 'minority' BTW) would have recieved more backlash. Kamal is an atheist and has declared so on many occasions. He does not keep harping about his religious or non religious stancelike SRK does. SRK tries so darn hard to become a Muslim icon. He says things like 'I see myself as an ambassdor of Islam'. Keep religion away man!! Talk about your work.I guess that's why he gets crucified more and if he'd made such a statement, I bet we'd have seen more hungama not coz he's a muslim but coz he keeps harping abt how he's a muslim in 'India'. As if it's a speciality. Say if an Aamir or Slaman had said it, ppl would be heartbroken. It's the person, I guess. Like someone on twitter said...SRK is detested not for his religionbut for his arrogance. Kamal did recieve flak for that silly statement too.

I hate the term "minority" but no matter how much we deny it, reactions to a minority are a bit different if not more.

I myself call SRK's religion stuff as a huge image building exercise. But the fact is that if he had threatened to leave the country, then he would have received even worse backlash and people on other side of the border would also have misused his statements to foster their anti-India agenda (Rehman Malik was already offering a shelter to SRK even though SRK never stated he felt unsafe in India or wanted to leave it!). Religious identity of a person does make a difference.

Kamal doesn't harp on religion and is atheist but people also know he's not of any other religion. So he's spared of extra backlash and sometimes I feel, even deserving backlash for his stupid (IMO!) statement that he would quit the country if film is not released.

Lastly, I feel all these movie stars have too much ego and think they are gods. They are forever more concerned about how they and their film are treated, and have no concern or respect for country or the law. Kamal's statement was an extreme step to create drama, show his clout and mobilise pan-India sentiment against people who troubled him. He's cleverly not going to SC also and now plays great by refusing to directly accuse Jayalalitha for the trouble he's facing.

Religion or no religion, any actor should be greeted with a "Bhaad mein jaa saale!" if he threatens to leave the country due to his self-interest. You maybe a great achiever but you're not above the country and have no right to malign it or try to disown it over a bunch of politicians!

So true. What are we as a society heading towards? We don't give two hoots about rape, terrorism, violence or inequality, but we're ready to flood the roads if SRK expresses his opinion on being a muslim? or when words like "mochi" or "barber" are included in a song/film? or when Sania Mirza decides to put her feet on a table where a miniature Indian flag happened to lay? or when Sachin tendulkar decides to cut a cake with the flag's picture on it?

I mean, really, are these the issues we ought to be worried about? Are we really that devoid of any real problems that need prior and urgent attention? Films are first and foremost opinions expressed on a larger scale. They aren't meant to intentionally insult someone and a group (unless you count trash like Rowdy Rathore, SOS or Joker - they insult the intelligence of humanity collectively. I don't see any backlash for them)

Originally posted by: blue-ice

But is it not why everyone wants to live in a SECULAR country because u are free to disclose ur religion, pray, worship and do all the religious activities without the fear of being attacked...If in a secular country one is afraid to discuss their religious identity then...how is it different from any other country where religious freedom is curbed...?

Having said that...I was talking about a SECULAR country..not a pseudo one..and I have to agree with u...although it makes me sad...that yes in India...he probably should not discuss his religious identity at all..

The article that he wrote for Outlook...only says that...In india being a Khan is no different than being a Sharma or a Gupta or a Singh...at least for him...but the people fail to see that...

koi baat nahi...we will agree to disagree on this one...

Most values enshrined in Constitution are on paper only. Secondly, no one has disallowed SRK from disclosing his religion or worshipping or whatever. Problem people have is with his attempt to portray himself as a victim due to his religion. That's something which did not happen. It was all fine for him till Shiv Sena controversy. And that controversy happened only for his support to Pakistani players and calling Pakistan a good neighbour. Anyone would face anger if he'd said such a thing shortly after 26/11. But SRK still continues to quote that incident as if it happened to him because of his religion!

He hasn't ever been targetted over his religion at all! So why even write such stuff?

I must add no one was ever conscious or serious about 'Khan' in SRK's surname till he himself started projecting himself as a victim as a part of his Muslim icon image building exercise. No one has any problem with him due to his religion so people wonder why he makes an issue of it. He's not seen as a victim.

Originally posted by: U-No-Poo

So true. What are we as a society heading towards? We don't give two hoots about rape, terrorism, violence or inequality, but we're ready to flood the roads if SRK expresses his opinion on being a muslim? or when words like "mochi" or "barber" are included in a song/film? or when Sania Mirza decides to put her feet on a table where a miniature Indian flag happened to lay? or when Sachin tendulkar decides to cut a cake with the flag's picture on it?

I mean, really, are these the issues we ought to be worried about? Are we really that devoid of any real problems that need prior and urgent attention? Films are first and foremost opinions expressed on a larger scale. They aren't meant to intentionally insult someone and a group (unless you count trash like Rowdy Rathore, SOS or Joker - they insult the intelligence of humanity collectively. I don't see any backlash for them)

India, a secular state? A place where one's religious and caste identity overshadows everything else, even humanity, at the drop of a hat? a place where no one, and I mean absolutely no one, thinks or questions before jumping the bandwagon as along as it's being led by the people of their own religion, caste or community? Have we consciously decided to keep our brains on dormant mode for the rest of our lives? I support Kamal Haasan completely. No wonder he wants to leave the country. Hell you can't even make a film here without facing utterly pointless hurdles.

@Skep.. I agreed that had SRK said the same, we'd have Hafeez and Malik clamouring to issue citizenship to Khan. IMO, they wouldn never do the same with a Salman or an Aamir. And why I think they would do that is because of all the love SRK showers on Pakistan even when the situation is tense and passions inflammed. Ppl don't like it. Read this blog. An open letter to SRK. http://blogs.ivarta.com/Open-letter-Mr-Shahrukh-Khan-SRK/blog-348.htm Ignore the religious rants on the blog. Focus on the way that blog writer thinks about SRK airing his views abt what Shoaib Malik said or how he at that Uni while accepting the doctorate says India and Pak are one. His vishesh tippanis on all sorts of things don't help him at all. The author also has issues with that 'good neighbour' bit. So SRK would most certainly recieve a HUGE backlash if he said something stupid like that. Ppl would instantly say...jaa jahan ke gun gaata rehta hai. And not coz he's a muslim. But coz he says things which people don't want to hear about Pak. I've seen many hindu scholars bashed to bits when they favor Pak. I guess it's the same in Pak. Marvi Sirmed is attacked, bashed and what not for talking abt peace with India or favoring minorities in Pak. Unfortunately, that's how it is. You and me might say that it's okay, that's his opinion but many ppl don't get it. And that's why he gets targetted. When netas say the same, we don't take it seriously. We don't take these netas seriously ever so we don't complain. But when an SRK does the same, ppl don't like it coz his image is not like that of a politician. But I think he's fast getting there. Do Jews or Muslim actors in US go around shouting about their religion from the rooftops? Nope. Why does this man? I just don't get it. I'd rather have a really secular Khan like Saif that this religion obsessed so called Badshah.

Sometimes I find myself expressing views on Pakistan, similar to SRK. I view Pakistan the political/military entity from Pakistan the civilian state. The political/military Pakistan is a difficult and antagonistic neighbor while the civilian state is just a brotha from another motha (or in this case fatha). And I often get upset that our political, religious leaders tend to view all of Pakistan with the same lens.

However, being a Hindu my views are dismissed as being naive or ignorant while his views are questioned as unpatriotic.

A similar case happened in the Bal Thackeray FB posts.The two girls arrested were Muslim. I know friends/relatives residing in Bombay saying similar things on FB, but since they were "Hindu" and "Marathi" they were not as threatening.

SRK does have a problem with foot in mouth, making obnoxious statements and attention seeking. At the same time we cannot deny the problem that a lot of people view Hindu Indians and Muslim Indians through different standards, and thats not fair.

@MithiBani

I agree with every word. But what I meant to imply was the difference in extent of backlash and nature of response that would have resulted if a person of other religion had threatened to leave the country.

I've always maintained that SRK's pro-Pakistan comments land him in trouble and the original controversy happened at the most sensitive time when public in India was already enraged.

I do think Aamir and Salman would've got a backlash for such a threat to leave the country because I feel religion does colour perception in some way and it can be misused by troublemakers both in the country and outside it (compared to a Kamal Haasan who's barely getting the rap he deserves for such a rant against country). Yes, SRK would get it worse due to his pro-Pak stance and an overall arrogant/controversial image.