Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) members had protested against the ongoing shooting of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's film Raees in Bhuj, for his earlier remarks on 'intolerance' (which SRK later stated were misconstrued).
On Tuesday, 20-30 VHP activists had handed over a memorandum to district officers and demanded withdrawal of the permission given for the shooting of the film.
Yesterday, they protested outside the district Collector's office pressing for the same demand. They shouted slogans against the actor and also burnt and tore his posters.
"He (Shah Rukh) should think, living in this country which gave him name, fame and riches; if he goes on speaking about non-existent intolerance, the VHP will never forgive," Gujarat VHP general secretary Ranchod Bharwad had said.
A few hours ago, Raees producer Ritesh Sidhwani tweeted saying that 'the shoot is now taking place under the protection given by the government and the police' (SRK’s Raees shoot in Bhuj continues post VHP disruption, Feb 4).
SpotboyE spoke to a cross-section of Bollywood to get their views on the Bhuj imbroglio. And this is exactly what they said:
Mahesh Bhatt (Filmmaker): I think it's okay as long as a so-called cultural organisation wants to drive home its ideology without taking the law and order in their hand and the government protects the actor without any danger imposed to his team or himself. The VHP has been consistently doing such things, so frankly it's nothing new and doesn't surprise me. They practise the politics of hate wherein you don't see the minority Muslim community having space in your country.
Prahlad Kakkad (Ad filmmaker): VHP is protesting to Shah Rukh's statement on intolerance, but by doing this they are simply being intolerant themselves. Why look at the mirror image of what you don't want to be? You want to prove SRK wrong, then do Gandhigiri with him. They need to be shown Lagey Raho Munnabhai, Mahatma Gandhi is still very much relevant. Tell me, why was Gandhi so effective? Simply because he made you feel embarrassed. What will happen if the VHP stops SRK's shoot? Won't that just lead him to go and shoot somewhere else instead? He can afford to go anywhere he wants. Narendra Modi had handled the VHP and Bajrang Dal very well when he was the CM of Gujarat, he should do the same now.
Reema Kagti (Director of Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd and Talaash): I don't agree with VHP's demand. This is extremely intolerant behaviour and a huge pity."
Renzil D'silva (Director of Kurbaan and 24): Religion and politics should not be mixed. Whatever are one's personal views and you may agree/disagree, but you cannot penalise him/her for his point of view. We live in a democratic country where everybody reserves the right to express his/her opinion.
Pahlaj Nihalani (Filmmaker and CBFC Chief): Organisations have agendas which they carry out, but the state government has rightly stepped in to protect and honour their commitment
Abbas Tyrewala (Scriptwriter of Main Hoon Na, Director of Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na): Who would agree that the VHP was right in their demand? Total galat hai. It's heartbreaking.
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