Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath on Pathaan, Besharam Rang and the film Pathaan itself says film directors should have been mindful of the scenes they create to prevent any controversies.
The recent controversy surrounding Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone’s song Besharam Rang from the film Pathaan caught the attention of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The song faced objections from some quarters for allegedly offending religious sentiments. In response, the Chief Minister suggested that film directors should consider scenes that may cause controversy when making films.
Why “Boycott Pathaan” was started?
The film Pathaan faced backlash following the release of its song Besharam Rang. The song was criticized for Deepika’s outfits, including a saffron bikini, as she and Shah Rukh filmed romantic scenes in Spain. This resulted in protests and calls for a boycott Pathaan on social media from certain sections of the country.
What Yogi Adityanath and other ministers said about Pathaan?
When questioned about the controversy, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that film directors should consider public sentiments and avoid creating scenes that may cause controversy. He also added that artists, literati, and accomplished individuals should be respected and that Uttar Pradesh has implemented policies for films, resulting in the production of many films in the state.
Several BJP leaders, including Ram Kadam and Narottam Mishra, expressed their opposition to the release of the film Pathaan. Additionally, right-wing groups issued warnings against screening the film in various cities. In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi advised party workers to refrain from making unnecessary comments about films.
On the day of its release, several morning showings of the film were canceled in Indore theaters due to protests by local political organizations. Despite this, Pathaan achieved massive success at the box office, earning ₹429.9 crores domestically since its January 25th release. The film’s production company, Yash Raj Films, reports that Pathaan has grossed ₹832.20 crores worldwide so far.
What Sharukh Khan says about Pathaan?
Regarding the matter of causing offense, Shah Rukh Khan previously spoke about it in a press conference, saying “Everyone has the same goal, which is to spread happiness, brotherhood, love, and kindness. Even when I play a villain in a movie like Darr, or a Baazigar in another film, or John plays a bad guy, none of us are actually bad. We are just playing characters to entertain you. If there are certain things said in a film, they are never intended to hurt anyone’s sentiments. It is simply for entertainment.”
He went on to say, “We love each other, we joke around with each other, and have fun together. Entertainment should just be that, entertainment. Don’t take it too seriously. We are all one, loving each other and trying to spread that love. To put it simply, this is Deepika Padukone, this is Amar. I am Shah Rukh Khan, I am Akbar. This is John, this is Anthony. And this is what makes cinema.”
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