Gags but no laughs (pun intended)...

I am no big fan of Ram Gopal Varma's movies, though I enjoyed watching his earlier movies like Shiva, Rangeela, Satya, Kaun and maybe even Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya. But the point here is not whether he is a good or bad as a film maker or whether his movies are any good. The point to be made here is that as a film maker he is an artist.

The whole issue about objections to the song in his forthcoming movie 'Rann' and alleged insult of the National Anthem appalls me. Have we not matured even a bit as a society after centuries of civilisation? I am as Indian as anyone can be and I am proud of it. I respect India, the National Flag and the National Anthem. But I refuse to put this concept of a nation, national flag and national anthem on a pedestal. After all India's true identity is it's people. Does saluting the flag and singing national anthem on the independence day and republic day make me a true Indian? And should I feel I have fulfilled my responsibilities as an Indian by that?

Firstly we must understand that art is not only meant for entertainment. The higher purpose of art is enlightenment. Art was used copiously during our freedom struggle by our leaders in form of folk music, street plays, etc. to kindle the spirit of enslaved masses. And sometimes art has to take heady and biting form to cut through the layers of apathy that engulf the cumulative social consciousness.

What Ram Gopal Varma attempts is such pungent concotion of art to make statement on the state of affairs as he sees them. Now it would be individual opinion to agree or disagree with him. Some may take liberty of attacking his stinging sarcasm with a rosy picture they see. And that, is perfectly alright as even an artist cannot be allowed to enforce personal opinion on anyone. But to take away his right of expression and denounce him for expressing views not supported by others is regressive, almost like heading back to era of kingdoms and emperors or maybe even beyond. 

It is also understood that some may not like his way or method of expressing his views. I personally do not like many of his movies and would not watch them for money. But that does not mean that he should not be making them. His way may be uncoventional but he has all the rights to make movies the way he likes. Its afterall in our hands whether to watch them or not. And if something offends someone then not watching it is the best option, definitely better than gagging art.

And insult is when someone mocks the National Anthem, twists its lyrics to demeaning and undignified effect. When someone uses the tune for no other end than only that of humour and hilarity, without any intentions whatsoever to provoke public thought process and initiate dialouge and rethinking of notions. Or when the lines are distorted and lewd, indecent or vulgar lyrics are added.

If art is not allowed to be free, to express disagreement and to confront the norms then there would be no progress. After all it requires fresh thoughts to pave a new way else it won't be new, will it?