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Last thing we have ever heard something similar to
"Bajrangi Bhaijaan" was Parvati Khan.
Khan is a Pop singer-cum-model who sang the popular
song "Jimmy Jimmy Aaja" in the 1982 Bollywood hit
movie Disco Dancer. Ironically, the singer courted
controversy once by offering prayers in Varanasi's
famous lord Shiva temple, Kashi Vishwanath.
Parvati is the name of Lord Shiva's wife. Where as Khan,
originally a Mongol and subsequently Central Asian
surname for a sovereign or military ruler, is now a
common Muslim last name in the sub-continent.
Similarly Bajragni is another name of Lord Hanuman,
and Bhaijaan is an Urdu world for brother.
Both the names are perfect amalgamation of Hindu
Mulsim unity in India. However, this is not the case at the
ground level in the country of more than 1.25 bn having
around 18% of Muslim Population.
Hindu and Muslim, despite living together in India for
over centuries, still do not cross the invincible yet sacred
religious line. Any attempt of crossing over often
culminates into controversy, or may be devastating riots.
The society in large has made no attempts to sort out the
differences between the two communities, in the past.
Bollywood, under these circumstances, seems to be the
only hope for this world's largest democracy. It seems to
be the space where Indians do not let religion come into
picture.
Khan's, including Aamir, Shah Rukh, Salman, are ruling
the bollywood for the last more than two decades and
half. They have a fan following among both the
communities and their religion was never a hindrance
for them. It was treated as their personal affair, the way it
should be.
However, it is the same Hindi movie industry where once
a talented actor like Muhammed Yusuf Khan has to
choose a screen name Dilip Kumar" so that the populous
Hindu audience connect and like him.
In the first teaser of the movie "Bajrangi Bhaijaan"
Salman Khan, son of Muslim father and Hindu mother,
playing a devotee of lord Hanuman is out in Pakistan to
help a Muslim girl to locate her parents.
When Nawazuddin Siddiqui asked Khan " Iskay Abu or
ammi ko khojo gay kaise? (How you will you manage find
her parents?)
"Bajrangbali hai na", was Khan's quick reply.
Siddiqui, surprised and asked " Yaha Pakistan mai bhi".
(Here in Pakistan too?) Followed by a perplexed
expression on Salman's face.
Even the date of the movie release is quite interesting.
The movie is being released on the coming Eid, the
prominent Muslim festival.
Imagine a movie where Khan is playing a Bhakt of Hindu
god is being released on a Muslim festival. Indian as a
nation might tolerate this because it is a movie. However,
protest of right wing political party cannot be ruled out.
As Chuck Palahniuk, American novelist and journalist
once said "The first step to controlling your world is to
control your culture. To model and demonstrate the kind
of world you demand to live in. to write the books. Make
the music. Shoot the films. Paint the art."
Movies like Bajrangi Bhaijaan can help us paint a world in
reel life where Hindus and Muslims can live in peace and
harmony. Irrespective of its Box office fate Bajrangi
Bhaijaan could be a stepping stone in the right direction.
"Bajrangi Bhaijaan" was Parvati Khan.
Khan is a Pop singer-cum-model who sang the popular
song "Jimmy Jimmy Aaja" in the 1982 Bollywood hit
movie Disco Dancer. Ironically, the singer courted
controversy once by offering prayers in Varanasi's
famous lord Shiva temple, Kashi Vishwanath.
Parvati is the name of Lord Shiva's wife. Where as Khan,
originally a Mongol and subsequently Central Asian
surname for a sovereign or military ruler, is now a
common Muslim last name in the sub-continent.
Similarly Bajragni is another name of Lord Hanuman,
and Bhaijaan is an Urdu world for brother.
Both the names are perfect amalgamation of Hindu
Mulsim unity in India. However, this is not the case at the
ground level in the country of more than 1.25 bn having
around 18% of Muslim Population.
Hindu and Muslim, despite living together in India for
over centuries, still do not cross the invincible yet sacred
religious line. Any attempt of crossing over often
culminates into controversy, or may be devastating riots.
The society in large has made no attempts to sort out the
differences between the two communities, in the past.
Bollywood, under these circumstances, seems to be the
only hope for this world's largest democracy. It seems to
be the space where Indians do not let religion come into
picture.
Khan's, including Aamir, Shah Rukh, Salman, are ruling
the bollywood for the last more than two decades and
half. They have a fan following among both the
communities and their religion was never a hindrance
for them. It was treated as their personal affair, the way it
should be.
However, it is the same Hindi movie industry where once
a talented actor like Muhammed Yusuf Khan has to
choose a screen name Dilip Kumar" so that the populous
Hindu audience connect and like him.
In the first teaser of the movie "Bajrangi Bhaijaan"
Salman Khan, son of Muslim father and Hindu mother,
playing a devotee of lord Hanuman is out in Pakistan to
help a Muslim girl to locate her parents.
When Nawazuddin Siddiqui asked Khan " Iskay Abu or
ammi ko khojo gay kaise? (How you will you manage find
her parents?)
"Bajrangbali hai na", was Khan's quick reply.
Siddiqui, surprised and asked " Yaha Pakistan mai bhi".
(Here in Pakistan too?) Followed by a perplexed
expression on Salman's face.
Even the date of the movie release is quite interesting.
The movie is being released on the coming Eid, the
prominent Muslim festival.
Imagine a movie where Khan is playing a Bhakt of Hindu
god is being released on a Muslim festival. Indian as a
nation might tolerate this because it is a movie. However,
protest of right wing political party cannot be ruled out.
As Chuck Palahniuk, American novelist and journalist
once said "The first step to controlling your world is to
control your culture. To model and demonstrate the kind
of world you demand to live in. to write the books. Make
the music. Shoot the films. Paint the art."
Movies like Bajrangi Bhaijaan can help us paint a world in
reel life where Hindus and Muslims can live in peace and
harmony. Irrespective of its Box office fate Bajrangi
Bhaijaan could be a stepping stone in the right direction.
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