‘PK’ reviews: Prejudiced Konklusions?

Last month, a controversy erupted over Rajkumar Hirani's film, 'PK' about some objectionable insinuations towards Hindu religious beliefs and sentiments. There were protests by some religious leaders and extreme right wing organisations who denounced the film and demanded a ban on it and called for strict action against the producer, director and superstar Aamir Khan. Did the protestors get it all wrong? Or did the people who watched and applauded the film, compromise on their religious beliefs for the entertainment it offered?

Well, there may not be any right or wrong answer to such and many similar questions. But as the controversy erupted, the pseudo-secularists quickly came forward - as expected - to preach how creative and artistic expression should not be curbed, how Hinduism is a very tolerant religion and will remain unaffected by such incidents, how extreme right wing politicos stoke communal passions to divide the society, how fringe political elements keep looking for such opportunities to emerge from oblivion and stay relevant, how the party in power at the Centre is tacitly supporting such attempts, etc.

Not wanting to be left behind, the pseudo-intellectuals presented the hackneyed view that a film is the depiction of a director's vision and if a section of the society does not agree with it, they should not watch it. They also opined that our society has considerably matured over the years and in a liberal and progressive society, demanding a ban on films, books, etc. is just not an option. Also, it is the Censor Board's responsibility to ensure that a film satisfies all laid down criteria for a public release. It also decides whether a film is fit for viewing by all audiences or only for those over the age of 18. So once a film is released, no ban should be imposed just because of protests by some narrow minded people. Whether a film is good or bad for the society should be judged only by its box office performance. And the people have emphatically given their verdict. PK is already the highest grossing Indian movie of all time and another film on a similar subject – “Oh My God!” – which was released couple of years ago, was a runaway hit too!

Both “Oh My God!” and “PK” dealt with a highly sensitive subject, but were deftly handled by skilled directors using humour to drive home the point. Both these movies exposed the religious superstitions, malpractices and the ever growing ‘Godman’ culture in India, which educated common citizens always bear in mind, but do not express for the fear of a severe backlash. En route to popularity and box office success, both films had to endure minor aberrations of right wing criticism.

The argument that a film should be judged only by how it performs at the box office, however begs the question whether Hinduism is the only religion in India with superstitions, incorrect beliefs, misplaced traditions and malpractices? “Oh My God!” was a film based on the experiences of a Hindu Gujarathi businessman and expectedly, superstitions and malpractices related to Hinduism were critically examined, with passing references to other religions. But in PK, the alien is in search of ‘God’ but gets confused by India's religious diversity and multifarious traditions. While he is shown approaching the places of worship of all religions, the major potshots were reserved for Hinduism. Why this disparity? Why not the same prudence and restraint for Hinduism?

All the mocking and outpour of common sense by PK e.g. religion is not just about building temples, devotion is not proven only by rolling all the way to temples, worship is possible even without offering gallons of milk, etc., is directed only towards Hinduism. Like these beliefs, superstitions, malpractices, there are bound to be a few in other religions too. Why were those not captured in detail in the movie’s narrative? Or did PK the humanoid alien quickly learnt within few days of landing in India that Hinduism is the only religion you can mock and yet get away scot free? 

Can we name any mainstream Indian movie which deals with what is ailing in other major religions in India? One wonders why the pseudo secularists and pseudo intellectuals did not raise this counter view. They sit in comfy arm chairs in their ivory towers and promptly condemn anything even remotely against the minorities, but become tongue tied when something is said against Hindus or even done to them. The reason is that criticising the religion practiced by the majority gets them opportunities to be on TV debates and elaborate their viewpoints. To my mind, they are an equal communal threat to society. 

Sadly, secularism has long ceased to mean ‘equality of all communities and dominance of none’. In reality, secularism is the chewing gum which has become shapeless and colourless due to incessant and mindless chewing for over 60 years by opportunistic and spineless politicians, who have always discriminated between religions for the fear of losing carefully nurtured vote banks. The majority is however taken for granted as they seldom unite on issues of religion and faith. Anyone challenging the religious beliefs of the majority has been seen as progressive, while a similar challenge in respect of other religions has always been fraught with risks like those associated with stirring up the proverbial hornet’s nest. And this is the very point perhaps film makers also bear in mind. The producer does not wish to get embroiled in any controversy which would stall the film's release. What else can he wish when his investment of crores of rupees is at stake?

Remember the harrowing time superstar actor-director-producer Kamal Hasan had to endure prior to the release of his 2013 spy flick ‘Vishwaroopam’? For the record, Vishwaroopam is also ‘just a movie’, like PK. Kamal Hasan too had a right of creative and artistic expression like Rajkumar Hirani. Just like PK, Vishwaroopam too had also been cleared by the Censor Board for a public release and if some sections of the society did not agree with Vishwaroopam, they should not have watched it. But all hell broke loose when some religious outfits in Tamil Nadu expressed ‘concern’ over the depiction of their community in the film and demanded a ban. The district collectors in Tamil Nadu issued orders to theatre owners not to show the film, citing law and order problems. The ban in Tamil Nadu also led to stoppage of screenings in neighbouring states. Dreading a washout, loss of crores and even bankruptcy, an icon like Kamal Hasan was forced to tender an apology to all and sundry, arrange a special screening of the movie for members of that community to soothe their frayed nerves. Heeding to their ‘requests’, certain scenes perceived as controversial were muted or morphed, allowing the film to be released in Tamil Nadu. In comparison, PK seems to have got the red carpet. Is it because we, as a society have progressed and evolved by leaps and bounds in the 22 months since the release of Vishwaroopam in February 2013? Hardly! It is nothing but a classic case of the double standards which the pseudo secularists, pseudo intellectuals and the political class have always indulged in.

A religion cannot have flaws; but its incorrect interpretation, propagation and following certainly creates perceptions and apprehensions in the minds of others. Those who are uneducated or uninitiated are vulnerable to fall prey to unscrupulous propagators as they take every spoken word as the gospel truth. They lack the ability to think rationally and disagree with what is hurled at them and therefore, their understanding of a particular religion is limited ONLY to what they have heard from others. Every religion has been misinterpreted, misused and abused; only the intensity and gravity of the consequences may differ. So why single out one religion for severe criticism and spoofing and leave others with just a friendly rap on the knuckles?

One simple question to end… can anyone dare to make such a film in any of the Islamic countries commenting on their religious beliefs and having made it, get away unscathed? Think about it.