Filed under: Cynthia Chandran | Tags: 'Border', Anand Patwardhan, attacks, Indo-Pak war of 1971, Kargil war, titles, Vilasrao Deshmukh
The whole world was glued to their telly for almost 60 hours of watching the Mumbai attacks last month which killed at least 170 people. The news channels in India and abroad had marathon running of the attacks.
The viewers were literally punching on their remote control of the television sets to watch the best liveliest action. India’s film makers are well known for re-adapting true incidents in to films. According to BBC, 20 film titles are waiting for approval for possible movies based on the Mumbai attacks. This is not the first time that movies based on terror are being made.
Bollywood film industry was reeling under poor records at the box office for the films that were made earlier. The 26/11 attacks has come as a fresh lease of life to at least some of the film makers.
BBC reports that the possible film titles are ‘Taj Terror, ‘Operation Cyclone’ and 26/11- Mumbai under Terror’ et al. However, some might feel that it is inhuman to recreate the tragedy, which have affected hundreds of people alike.
“It always happens. People jump on every tragedy. It is like ambulance chasing,” says Anand Patwardhan, well known documentary film maker to BBC. Mr.Patwardhan is famous for his controversial documentary film, ‘Ram Ke Naam’ (In The Name of God).
The documentary brought out the gruesome reality behind the Ram Janma Bhoomi-Babri Masjid issue, which unfolded during BJP (Bharathiya Janatha Party) leader, L K Advani’s ‘rathyatra’.
When the Kargil war (1999) had taken place between India and Pakistan, there were hundreds of casualties. Then people realised the hardships of soldiers guarding the borders against enemies from across the border. The Kargil conflict was also made in to films in different languages in India.
J.P.Dutta, a Bollywood film maker came out with ‘Border’ in 1997, a well enacted film on the Indo- Pak war of 1971. It is feared that the misery of the people affected by war or the terrorist attacks are exploited, which is true.
Grave Mistake
The former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Vilasrao Deshmukh had run in to controversy during the Mumbai attacks. He was accompanied by Ram Gopal Varma, a Bollywood film maker and his own actor son, Riteish Deshmukh, to Taj Mahal Palace and Oberoi Hotels.
The citizens of Mumbai and the political brass could not digest this and finally, he had to tender his resignation.
It is not known whether Ram Gopal Varma is having any plans to make any film on the Mumbai attacks. His films are synonymous for slick thrillers like ‘Satya’ and ‘Company on the underworld.
Ten terrorists had struck on 26th November at Mumbai’s Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Hotel, Leopold Café and other important places, which went on for almost 60 hours of battle. Several foreigners were also killed in the attacks.
So, will the cash box in the Indian theatres be piling? Will these films bring good news for the Bollywood film industry? Let’s wait for the drama to unfold…..
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