Saturday, May 23, 2009

Let's give peace a chance

I've never written a movie or book review in my life. And I don't think I will anytime soon, either. Right now, I'm going to talk about 'Khuda Kay Liye', a movie I've finished watching not more than five minutes ago. A movie, that has moved me in ways no other movie has, in a long long time. This is by no means a review; this is an experience.

Most people I know haven't seen Khuda Kay Liye, rejecting it simply because it is a product from Pakistan. The reasons range from bizarre ones like "There are so many Indian movies I have to still watch...Pakistani ones can wait!" to "You think Pakistanis can make good movies?". Well, someone even said that Muslims or anything remotely related to them depresses him. See how xenophobic we are on a day-to-day basis, without even realising it?

The movie addresses many issues, like how fundamental Muslims are completely at loggerheads with the progressive, liberal Muslims. Furthermore, it even probes into how all Muslims, even the unsuspecting, innocent ones, are looked upon as terrorists especially post 9/11. The film aims to educate and open the common Muslim woman's eyes and makes her aware about her rights and in places, even explains what the Koran actually means for women. There is such a complex, warped web of issues surrounding the community, that it is all very overwhelming to take in all at once. But that is exactly what this movie aims to do. Provoke the viewer into thinking for himself and not to subject himself to blindly accepting what the religious heads have to say, as well as to remind him that he has no right to paint the entire community black because of terrible experiences with certain members. Because simply put, a handful of bad eggs don't make up the entire basket.

All through the time I was watching the movie, I kept feeling sorry for the one of the lead characters and the torturous treatment doled out to him, because of his religion. And all I kept yelling in my head was, that he's NOT at fault. LET HIM GO already! For me, he was an innocent human who was framed through no fault of his. Shouldn't we be treating all our Muslim brothers from all over the world as humans first, Muslims later?

True, most terrorists these days turn out to be Muslims. But why do we resultantly look at every Muslim suspiciously? We know of Hindu, Sikh or Christian criminals. But do we look at everybody with scrutiny? Can we deny that the thought - 'Oh, he's a Muslim' doesn't cross our mind for a flitting second, the minute we're introduced to one? Why does this happen? And how did anybody let this reach this stage?

One thing everyone must remember, is that in every community, we will find all types of people - the liberal, the fanatic, the fundamentalist, the atheist, the agnostic - it takes all kinds to make up a community. But no one has the right to ill-treat someone on the basis of a community, much less ill-treat someone because they belong to one.

And lastly, if we must hate somebody, can we at least do it in peace, without bloodshed?

P.S. All views in this post are entirely mine. If you don't agree with them, too bad. Just read and let go , ok?

11 comments:

Sakshi said...

I saw this movie long back. I think I did a review for it too on one of the blog pages.. And trust me- I was shocked at the movie not because it was a pakistani movie but because the movie hit on the reality with such an impact that- it took my breath away... I agree with you 100% that in all the communities we will find people who are freaking fanatics and who are crazies- Exemplifying- Remember the sikh riots in 1984? or the hindu fundamentalism in orissa... godhra riots... then there are the touchy christains in the western world... the need of the hour is a movement that mass mobilises the youth and the educated who look beyond these petty politics of religion, casteism and community. Most of the issues aren't even that big- they are just politicised by the politicians to gain the vote bank. (I got a lil carried away... sorry..) But- all in all- Its time to give peace a chance so that- innocence and love can prevail...

Meghana Naidu said...

This strange thing happens to me. Someone uses a 'generalisaion' and i begin to swell, expand and turn green. *PS: the hulk*

On a more serious note: I feel that even if there is one single muslim(for ex.) person who is decent, (and there are a LOT of them right) then isnt it UNFAIR to be biased against them?

How can you, in your rage for a minor percentage of the entire ethnic group, HATE the rest of them. and resort to violence at that ??

so, yeah, i completely relate to what you're saying.
Well written, Loved the post title. :)

- a chance visitor

Sreejit said...

Well first things, I need to watch this movie before I make any comment about the same. Very emotional write up, as if you wanted to reason out with every other fanatic in this world irrespective of any religion,caste and creed.
I think most of us are brought up to love other human beings as a kid, but then either the circumstances or the realities around you change the rationality of the entire excercise.
The thing abt the major hate against muslims is due to the undue appeasement done for them by certain political parties, which actually dont want to do any good to them, but just use them, as Sakshi said for vote bank politics.
And certain others who support Pakistan just because they share the same religion as majority ppl living in there. I have seen ppl celebrate a Pakistani win over India staying and utilising the resources in India. Certain others who refuse to sing Vande Mataram. Which just builds on to the fact that they are anti-national.

There are good and bad elements and they unfortunately dont come in only one religion or caste, but one shudnt allow others to make use of one's vulnerabilities and exploit them.

The key to peace unfortunately is the ability to understand each other with their positives and negatives and love them for what they are and this is really difficult.

Anonymous said...
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BikerRo said...

God !! i feel lill melodramatic stuff over here suddenly...but yeah...ive seen this movie in theater and it truly addresses some serious issues which might b happening in real...But still i didnt like the movie as a whole...first of all i wasnt able to decode all the urdu stuff that was being said in front of me...i was sitting there like a jackass trying to grab a familier word to my ears....especially that Nasiruddin Shah stuff...!! plus all the crappy jokes that movie has...especially the main reason behind tht guy to leave village is it has no toilets when hes leaving his daughter ther...wad an ass...those were lame attempts to put jokes in otherwise fully serious crap...personally speaking i didnt like the movie...not because it was not pakistani but cuz it had too much of senti stuff...lill too much for me to sit at one place and watch...

Lamont said...

ok... u got me ... now i must watch the movie... but if u wanna see another cool movie too watch RENDITION... its not just us here in India but even how the western worl feels bout muslims...
But all things aside , lovely post sweety....
Ciao

WiseAss said...

Good child. Now give me a copy of the film because I want to watch it again and cry.

Mugger Much said...

@Moo: I couldn't agree more. Here's a litmus test to check your convictions. Do you subscribe to the notion that Afzal Guru, Lt-Col Purohit and Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, if/when found guilty, should all be executed?

I'd be interested to note your opinion. And, yes, you should definitely watch "Rendition".

@Sreejit: I have laughed at India's pathetic losses against Pakistan's far stronger cricket team many times. I have gotten drunk and made fun of our national anthem. However, as a card-carrying Hindu, I am free to do any of the above without being branded anti-national. Yet, Muslims, strictly by virtue of their religion, are not entitled to do the same. Isn't that sad?

@All: I guess we should all grow up. These borders were created 60 years ago. The very concept of a modern Westphalian nation-state came into being only in 1648. Life's way bigger than the sentiment of "my swinging metaphorically patriotic phallus is way bigger than yours".

Peace out everyone. Cheers.

golden_retreat said...

HMMMM I think i should watch the movie and then come back.

Sreejit said...

@Muggermuch:
Appreciating a better team is something else, but I have seen crackers burst and wild celebrations when Pakistan wins over India.
Patriotism is not dependant on religion, if u do anything anti-national then u shud be look down upon too(nothing personal).
There is nothing against any particular community, just wanted to point out that if someone is under suspicion then as the saying goes there is no smoke without fire.
As I have maintained before there are goods and bads everywhere and I have some very good friends who belong to all castes and religions and we all sit and discuss about the frailities.
@Moo:
Sorry for cluttering yr blog page. Just couldnt resist posting this.

Gentle Whispers said...

@ Sreejit: I'm sorry that I seem to be jumping into this. But it does seem kind of unfair that you aren't allowed to celebrate if Pakistan wins. What if Pakistan played better and deserved to win? What if Pakistan had the better team? What if I like the Pakistani style of play much better than the Indian one?

Take the 2007 T20 World Cup for instance, if Pakistan had won, I for one would have stood up and applauded because they played well and deserved to win. And if it hadn't been for Misbah's godawful shot they might have won.

So I think it's rather unfair to say that if your an Indian, you can't celebrate another team's victory and that it's unpatriotic. Because at the end of the day, supporting someone is my personal choice and celebrating or mourning is a personal choice as well.