Click to play videoAhmedabad: Filmmakers of Parzania—a film set against the backdrop of communal riots that ripped Gujarat in year 2002—are disappointed for not finding any takers in Gujarat.
Not a single cinema hall in Gujarat is showing Parzania. Theatre owners say they don't want to stir up dormant emotions and incur the wrath of Hindu activists. However, all deny receiving any instruction regarding the screening.
“If a movie hurts people I feel it should not be screened,” said one theatre manager.
Film's director Rahul Dholakia says the movie will reach Gujarat, come what may.
“We will try for theatrical release. If we don't get theatrical releases then we will use the NGO route. We will use television, mobile vans, DVDs to screen the movie,” he said.
Based on a true incident, the film follows the story of a Parsi couple Cyrus and Shernaz Peethawala, played by Naseeruddin Shah and Sarika, whose 10-year-old son goes missing in the riots.
An Ahmedabad-based rights group Drishti has started an online campaign for the release of the movie. Several hundred people have already signed it.
The group has expressed anger at the refusal of theatre owners to screen the movie.
“I think cinema owners must give a written statement that the censor board officials are useless and unintelligent people and they must vacate their seats. Is the legal certification process that other filmmakers go through is useless? Do the theatre owners have their own certification? This is absolutely nonsense," said Director of Drishti Media group Stalin Kurup.
Voices arising out of Gujarat's society clearly demand an end to the moral policing, and a restoration of real democracy.
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