PK is not a great film but...

PK is not a great film. It is, to be honest, an ordinary film. From the perception of a film critic, flaws in PK are palpable. The climax in the TV studio is unintentionally hilarious. The director conveys his message through various anecdotes. Some of them are very simplistic. The fact that Jaggu and Cherry, (which means director Rajkumar Hirani and writer Abhijat Joshi) react to PK’s statements as if they have never heard something like this is not believable. Many have raised voice about fraud Godmen and questioned the existence of religion.  

Having said that, PK remains an important film. More so, in today’s circumstances. After the arrival of the Modi-led government at the Centre, the likes of RSS, VHP, Hindu Mahasabha and the kin have become emboldened. They are getting louder by the day. They claim to be the custodians of the Hindu religion and have now been convinced that they represent all Hindus. In this context, the message of PK comes like gushing water in the desert. Even though it has been said earlier, circumstances demand reiteration. However, the much-expected objections against PK have raised pertinent questions.

Before PK, Paresh Rawal’s Oh My God had made a similar attempt where the atheist protagonist files a lawsuit against God. He is seen mocking at the idols of God, protesting against the exploitation by various Godmen, calling them ‘managers of God’. In other words, people termed ‘wrong number’ in PK are chastised in Oh My God as well. One could say that PK has followed the footsteps of Oh My God and tried to widen the message.

Then why was Oh My God spared off this controversy? Was it because the lead role was player by Rawal, who is now a BJP MP? Have the so-called Hindus been offended because PK is played by Aamir Khan? Or was it because these hooligans merely intended to stay relevant by attacking a high-budget, popular film? Let us mock the intellect of those offended by the film.

Most of the protestors belong to a Hindu fundamental group (There are Muslim fundamentalists too, backing these objections. It is amusing to see the radicals of different religions keep their differences aside and come together for a larger cause). Did they not watch PK going to a mosque with wine in his hand? Did they miss the Maulavi instructing girls to avoid education? What were they doing when a Christian missionary was converting people to Christianity? Did they lose their hearing aid when PK says that it is God and faith that keeps one going in hard times?

The film has questioned the commercialisation of religion and exploitation in the name of it. The film objects to minting money in the name of God. The film highlights the need to study hard before an exam instead of praying in front of an idol. Objecting to it, is justifying the exploitation and those giving religion a bad name. Or does one have to validate this sick mentality to be called a ‘proud Hindu’?

"Jo dargaya wo mandir mein jaata hai", is a dialogue that has offended a lot of people. Someone with the remotest of intelligence would be able to figure out that it could have been Masjid or Church instead of Mandir. What matters is the point that the director intends to convey. And the director succeeds in conveying the message. However, it would be unfair to expect those, who are willful in their malice, to think about the message.

The love affair between an Indian Hindu girl and a Pakistani boy is statement against 'love jihad. Drama, conflict are the requirements of an engrossing film. By showing the diametrically opposite couple, the film has created the conflict and drama. But to understand this statement, one has to be able to think beyond ‘religious sentiments’ and get well acquainted with art, culture and, going too far, freedom of expression.

Not long ago, Vishal Bharadwaj’s Haider too, was met with such antagonism. Bharadwaj was called a traitor for the film’s anti-army narrative. Bharadwaj had responded, "I am an Indian and a patriot. I will not do anything that is anti-India. But I will always speak out against what is anti-human."

The attempt to clamp down the freedom to express has been going on for a while. If one does not agree with an outlook, the constitution gives the right to express disagreement. If the disagreement is honest, then it can be expressed in a democratic way. But when that is not the case, people resort to vandalising theatres and issuing threats. The censor board has given a green signal to PK. (Here too, the chairman of the censor board Leela Samson is targeted as a Christian). The Supreme Court has batted for the film. If your sentiments are so fragile, do not read books or watch films. It is your right. But you have no business to take decisions on my behalf.

PS: PK has already made more than Rs 300 crore worldwide.