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The show is on
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The Liberty-Satyam blasts may have come more as an unscheduled break for Delhi exhibitors but they must act as an eye-opener, says ANUJ KUMAR
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ON GUARD: Liberty is closed for now, but new releases continue on schedule Photo: Ramesh Sharma
`Shahar se insaniyat khatm ho gayi hai, jisko masti karni hai woh karega. D will release as scheduled on July 3,' says Ravi Prakash, the spokesperson for Varma Films. Before D, comes Yash Raj films' major Bunty Aur Babli and here again distributor Rakesh Paul takes a similar line. "We are going by the media reports, which say the blasts were because of the particular film, Jo Bole So Nihaal."
The twin-blasts in Delhi's Liberty and Satyam cinemas may have cast serious aspersions on the security of Capital's cinema halls but for those in the business of films, it seems no more than an unscheduled break. "Had the blast happened on Thursday, cinema halls would have easily replaced Jo Bole... with Bunty Aur Babli," says Sanjay Mehta, a leading Delhi distributor representing the fraternity at a press conference called by the National Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors.
Passing the buck
A case of passing the buck... Ostrich approach on show? Not quite. "We are concerned about the security, but in a city where even the Parliament is not safe, you can't do much," says Shashank Raizada, President, NAMPE. Adds, Biloo Seble, of Seble and Raj cinemas, "We are in the business because of the public, so there is no way we can compromise their security."
Remind them that the Delhi Police has been reported as saying no link has been established between the blasts and the film, the collective reply is they are putting two and two together. "Investigations will reveal the reason. We have not found anything objectionable in the film, still the first impression that has been created particularly by the media indicates at Jo Bole... . It has been taken off more as a precautionary measure," says Sandeep Marwah, member of the entertainment committee of the PHD Chamber of Commerce.
However, going by this theory, the precautionary measures should have been taken in advance - the controversy was already brewing in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana with the distributor taking the film off the halls. Says Seble, " It's a light-hearted comedy. Also Delhi audience has always been large-hearted and cosmopolitan." Sanjay Mehta maintains it is not a matter of greed but if somebody has invested four to five crore rupees in a film, he wants some return. "The film was already taken off in Punjab and Haryana - prime territories for a Sunny Deol film. There were no complaints from gurdwaras in Delhi either." At the same time he points out the blasts won't have an impact on the box office performance of the film provided the filmmaker agrees to incorporate the changes and the film returns to halls. "History tells us the films marred by controversy have always done better. Take Fire, nobody was ready to watch it before Shiv Sainiks forced the cuts. Sunny Deol is a super star of small cinemas in downtown areas, but the controversy will raise the curiosity level even among the higher echelons."
Security measures
As for the security measures Ajjay Bijli of PVR cinemas says nobody is taking any chances after the Uphaar tragedy. "That we have been able to evacuate PVR cinemas within half-an-hour of the crises points that a well oiled security system is in place." Adds Mehta, "We forget that most deaths in the Uphaar tragedy were because of the stampede, not fire. In Liberty this could have been a possibility were the exit gates not been open. After Uphaar tragedy, all cinema halls have exit gate lights connected to inverters." Shashank accepts there is need for improvement and the theatre owners are ready to bear the cost. "The door frame metal detectors that are available can detect only when the iron - metal - content is high. In this case, the miscreants seem to have used plastic. So we have asked for improved detectors. "
UNITED WE STAND: Members of the National Motion Pictures Exhibitors Association in New Delhi PHOTO: SANDEEP SAXENA
Female viewers have often been allowed to carry big bags with multiple pockets without an adequate check in the name of `personal items'. "We have taken note of this," agrees Shashank. The blast in the toilet of the restaurant at Satyam reels off another issue of security at malls where there are separate entrances for cinema and the assortments. Shashank says audience must also cooperate. "Security is often seen as encroachment in privacy and entertainment."
Meanwhile, Suresh Singh with his all-decked up wife is beholding the pictures of Amitabh Bachchan in Waqt, that replaced Jo Bole... overnight at Delite. "We didn't want to kill the mood because of the blasts. That way no place is safe in Capital. Why not die watching your favourite stars?"
Director's take
ENRAGED: Rahul Rawail accuses the media
Director Rahul Rawail is furious. Rahul says even if Jo Bole So Nihaal is a factor behind the blasts, taking the film out of theatres will embolden vested interests. "Now anytime you have a problem with the subject of a film, a blast is enough to take the film out of theatres." He says the film was cleared by the Censor Board and there are democratic ways to register a protest.
Turning his ire to the media, Rahul maintains, "The media has been grossly irresponsible in tackling the issue. In their quest of one-upmanship, without proper investigation and corroboration by the police they held Jo Bole So Nihaal responsible for the blasts."
Ask him if the ploy to attract the community with a religious war cry for title and the lead actor from the same community has backfired, Rahul gets livid. "We have not taken any liberties. We have not shown Sikhs in bad light anywhere in the film. Everything should be seen in the perspective of the script. No director can take individual perceptions into account while making a film."
Rahul says the title of the film won't be changed under pressure of some groups. "The producer has said that we would go by the court order. If the court asks us to change title we are ready."
A.K
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