Posted:
I haven't seen the epi today but read the update...I was kind of expecting it , still couldn't help feel disappointed with the progression of the story.To me, this is going beyond just distortion of history or misportrayal of characters. My understanding is that majority of people feel that way. But what can we do? Are we too tolarant ?
Imagine Ekta Kapoor showing the courageous King Leonides as a coward in a movie based on their famous battle of Thermopylae with the Persian king Xerxes.(Remeber, Gerald Bulter's movie 300...Spartans are also known in history to be exceptional warriors like the Samurai's, Ninja's and Rajputs) ...I don't think that the modern descendents of Spartans( I know a few) , will accept that version of history. Just like us, people in the west are also very proud and fiercely protective of their culture and history. I respect this trait in everyone. Such a portrayl of a respected historical character in a movie will certainly creat a storm in that part of the world. I wont be surprised if it is even gets banned in there within days. I also dont think that adding a disclaimer will make a difference.
( I'm not referring to the comedy versions here...people know the difference) .
I am unable call this progression in storyline of JA as any form of freedom of expression. Not when it distorts history to this extent. If Balaji and Zee want to show this kind of story, then please change the name of the characters. And we have to be fair and speak on behalf of both Mughals and Rajputs. My little nephews, 9 and 13, in the US love desi historical dramas and believe every word of it. It is very time consuming to explain that certain things didn't really happen. Like, Akbar was not this stupid...
How did Heer kanwari get the new name Jodha? ...because more than 100 yrs ago, a historian made a mistake and called her Jodha. The name stuck. It is not easy to change it in books now.
Moral of the story...any form of misportrayal of history( written version or television ) has the potential to really change history in the way our future generations will see it.
So the recent tracks were not popular...infact, people are very critical in their comments. Then , why are the CV's stobbornly showing it? They are not trying to torture us and probably know that most people don't enjoy this kind of negativity where a self respecting woman is humiliated repeatedly. Or an intellegent man is shown to have a sudden and unexplained cognitive decline. He suffers too... Ninety five percent of the people on this planet are not sadists. The Trps may sometimes go up/ stay up because of a strange phenomenon...people get restless after watching a character they have grown to admire, suffer so much. They desperately want that character to be happy, get out of that situation and finally triumph. In some well directed shows and movies, people may actually start identifying with the suffering character and subconsciously are unable to abandon them at that point( by stop watching the show) They want to see some light before they quit...And they continue watching and hoping...watching and hoping...watching and hoping...finally, misunderstandings are cleared ...the suffering ends...and wow, romance begins..everyone was longing to see that...but if the mushy mushy romance is prolonged...things start getting boring again...the producers fear of drop in trps...villian/ vamp get back in action... and the suffering is back with a bang...if they couldn't find real incidents to show that kind of tearjerking drama...they creat one...the cycle continues and we are trapped.
I have read that some people feel that because of the disclaimer and argument of freedom of expression, , Ms Kapoor and company can get away by showing anything... Any lawyers in the forum please free to correct me here...My understanding is that that putting a disclaimer can help in case of a lawsuit in future but the makers of show can still be held accountable and asked to offer an explanation if they distort facts. I dont think that a good lawyer will let them get away by using the fiction excuse. How will they explain the use of real names, places and incidents to popularize the show...can they be allowed to have their cake and eat it too? So far it is happening...will it continue forever...hope not...Preservation of history and culture is important to most people. So I don't see a disclaimer as something that absolves the production house of all responsibilities.
I did some research on some international films and books that were banned for historical, religious or cultural reasons. I wanted to see if they had disclaimers/ explainations/ statements when questioned about abouthnticity or misportrayl. Most did...I also read an article on the web ( not sure how reliable) on a Hindi movie from the 70's which was about a female politician. Inspite of the director and producers going to all lengths to say that that it was a fictional character( they did not even use her name)... The film still ran into trouble and wasn't fully released till that politician was out of power. I think most forum members were not on this planet in the 70's but if there is anyone who remembers this, please write something to enlighten us.
I am deliberately not taking names of movies or books here as I don't want to unintentionally offend anyone. But, if you are interested to know more about this, I'll be happy to send you the links. So, based on what I understand, I want to assure my forum friends that having a disclaimer does not mean we cant question them.
To support my theory further if anyone goes for a surgical procedure, the doctor makes you sign a document that you as a patient are aware of all the possible negative outcomes including death. It certainly helps in case of a lawsuit otherwise why would they waste so much paper. But, it does not take away the patient's right to question or sue the doctor if there is a negative outcome. If found guilty, the doctor will be punished.
My take on the protests...in a democratic country people have the right to protest. As long as they are not breaking a law...most politicians, both good and bad ones...not just in India but all around the world started their careers as protestors..once they are successful, you'll be surprised how soon the term changes to ' social activists' . And I wouldn't label all of them as 'unemployed' or ' don't they have better things to do'. They may strongly feel about issues related to their ancestors. Busy and employed people protest as well...remember..lok pal bill...Delhi gang rape...mandal commission. I'll use my own example, I have never been unemployed but did actively participate in student protests on an issue I supported. We may or may not agree with their reasons or manner of protest but our country's constitution gives them the right to do it ( of course, they have to respect the law). Dont be too shocked if one of these protestors becomes cabinet minister in future😊
I enjoy watching Bollywood movies. Sometimes, the reviews/ friends say...' do go and watch the movie...you'll enjoy it but don't look for logic. Leave your brains outside the theater...I applied this advice and enjoyed watching/ rewatching some of my favorite Govinda movies... I can't apply this to history based shows. It unfair to expect them to make it a boring documentary style show.. Some masala is needed...just don't throw the whole masaladaani in. 😊
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