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Journalism of Courage
The big bang
What is it that was worrying me as I watched Prime Minister A B Vajpayee announcing, on Monday, that his government had successfully conducted three nuclear tests and proved that India had the deterrents necessary to repeal any hostile nation? Was it the fact that the BJP had chosen the birthday of the greatest apostle of peace and non-violence, Gautama the Buddha, to make its point. Or, was it that all the sabre-rattling by George Fernandes suddenly seemed to be part of a greater scheme of things? Or was it that as I watched the drama unfold I realised that as an individual I was powerless against the state8217;s course of action? A hapless victim of a drama that may eventually engulf me and my home.
In its bid to modernise its image, the government chose to set the event on the lawns of the Prime Minister8217;s residence. The noble flag of independent India was placed behind a podium so that when the photographers and television crew recorded this quot;historic momentquot; our new and beleaguered PM would be seen as a strong and patriotic hero. His measured delivery and sombre attitude was dwarfed by an ill-conceived podium, designed for a much taller man. A scene right out of The Great Dictator 1938 instead of Citizen Kane 1941.
It is this aspect of India that has always been a thorn in my appreciation for our achievements. Here is the Prime Minister delivering a speech that will forever be recorded as his defining moment. It8217;s a speech that is by no meansunplanned. Someone was put in charge of designing the event along the lines of an American presidential address. That person must have seen countless press functions where Clinton and his predecessors stood tall and bellowed tripe which sounds impressive because the dynamics of perspective had been manipulated. But when it came to this event, our PMO decided to get a podium from a prop department, add a flag and have two advisors stand behind the PM and whammy, all will look well. Nada.
Golden voice
In 1950 my grandfather, JBH Wadia was producing and directing a film on a low budget. His days as a movie moghul were over and he had become resigned to the fact that he had to join the rank and file of independent producers.
His film titled Madhosh was based on a then well-known Marathi novel called Paan Kala. The novel was brought to his notice by Prabhodankar Thackeray Bal Thackeray8217;s father who having fallen on financial difficulties had become JBH8217;s publicist. For this film, he chose to givea break to a newcomer Madan Mohan. It was the first film signed on by Mohan, who till then was better known for his talent as a ladies8217; man than a musician. Son of another movie moghul Raibahadur Chunnilal, Mohan was keen to display his creativity and wrote a song that immediately captivated the director8217;s heart. Mohan was keen that this particular song needed the talent of Talat Mehmood, who was then unheard of by the public. On May 10, 1950, they recorded that song at Famous Studios8217; recording theatre 48 years later, Talat Mehmood passed away. His golden voice will last for several generations. So will the song his voice immortalised, Meri Yaad Mein Tum Na Aansoo Bahana8230;8217;
Industry watch
While all of Bollywood should be overjoyed with the announcement by Sushma Swaraj granting industry status to the business of filmmaking, I cannot but participate in this revelry with some caution. The pleas of film producers to grant this industry status goes back to 1937 when seven film studio owners gottogether and formed the Film Producers Guild. In the ensuing years, several delegations pressed the government to recognise the film fraternity as an active and responsible business. Due to the government8217;s non action the film fraternity became endemically corrupt and it will now take a lot of hard work to unravel the mess. In the meanwhile, the fraternity should immediately set up workshops for its members to educate them on what quot;industryquot; is all about. Part-kudos for achieving this breakthrough with the government must go to Vinod Khanna and the Indian Merchants Chamber. The IMC invited Khanna a few years ago to sit on its board as a representative of the film fraternity and backed him in his struggle to press for industry status.
Final word
I find it sad and telling that the arts community has not created a show of solidarity on issues facing the freedom of speech and expression that have been clamped down on by the current state and central government. A few stray voices and media babbles isnot enough. What is needed is a march down Kala Ghoda and a burning of an effigy of Goebbels if there is to be any issue. Remember, it8217;s dark days ahead if silence becomes golden.
