Let there be no blood

However, there8217;s a section of movie buffs who, despite their love for Aamir and good cinema, is planning to give Ghajini a miss. And the decision has roots in the recent terror attacks that Mumbai witnessed. The film, they say, is too violent 8212; as the promos have made it clear 8212; and they have no appetite for it post 26/11.

Many who comprise this section of the audience are the ones who were directly or indirectly affected by the attacks, like Mona Gillani. The 19-year-old commerce student was shopping at the Colaba Causeway when the terrorists opened fire at Leopold Cafeacute;. 8220;I wasn8217;t anywhere close-by but I heard the gunshots and later saw the bodies of those who died,8221; says Gillani, recounting the horror. 8220;I have since developed an aversion to anything violent. I love watching films and watch all of Aamir8217;s flicks but this one isn8217;t palatable for me. From what I8217;ve seen in the promos, I feel it8217;s just too soon.8221;

Indrani Ray, a media programming and marketing consultant, wasn8217;t affected directly by the

terror attacks but she seconds Gillani and isn8217;t keen on watching violent films after having heard gunshots in her living room for three days. However, she isn8217;t averse to watching the film if her friends recommend it. 8220;There8217;s so much violence around us that glorifying it on celluloid doesn8217;t appeal to me. But if word of mouth is fabulous, I8217;ll give it a shot,8221; she says.

Trade pundits agree that the promos are a tad discouraging in terms of violence. However, many feel it wouldn8217;t be fair to judge a film by its cover. But that will not affect the box-office performance of the film in any way. 8220;While it8217;s up to an individual to decide whether or not they want to watch a film, they should surely not judge it entirely through promos,8221; says director Kunal Kohli. 8220;I think Ghajini8217;s a sweet love story.8221;