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Aamir finds himself amongst controversy yet again and this time, it is concerning his latest release, Fanaa also starring Kajol who is making a comeback. Multiplexes in Gujarat are said to have refused to screen the movie because of Aamir much-publicized comments on Narendra Modi’s government over the handling of the Narmada Bachao Andolan. Now, if that reason is correct, the theater owners may well be within their rights to do so but eventually hopefully are aware that they will lose out on profits that precede any movie that Aamir Khan stars in and to hype it up further, Kajol is making her comeback. Star-driven movies are often assured of a bumper opening and the Gujarat multiplex owners can opt out of this profit-making ride based on their allegedly ideological reasons. But are they willing to lose out on profit? Business-minded Gujjus are often averse to decisions against economic reasons; so what is the real motive?
It turns out that, the real reasons might not be the comments that Aamir made but in fact a dispute over revenue sharing. Yash Raj’s slick marketing campaigns often hype up films that lack any content or reasonable cinematic value (evidence A: Salaam Namaste) so it is natural that they want a larger piece of the pie especially from movies that are assuredly a success. Yash Raj is negotiating a higher share in profits and the multiplex owners are passing it on to the consumer in form of a price hike. Of course, they are completely entitled to and even charge atrocious amounts as much as the public is willing to pay. I remember tickets for Titanic being sold in black at Regal for almost Rs.800. Why would anyone pay so much for a stupid movie is beyond me but if people are willing to buy, heck, charge them as much as they are willing to fork out. Access to movies are no public interest matters. Whether Aamir dies when Fanaa ends (or as the controversy seems to suggest) hardly matters in larger scheme of things.
For whatever reason if Fanna doesn’t hit the screens in Gujarat, Kamleeees Bhai go and watch The Da Vinci Code (disclaimer and all) or X-Men: The Last Stand. They definitely might be more entertaining.
by Patrix | on Wednesday, May 24th, 2006 at 3:33 pm | 
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May 25th, 2006 at 8:03 am reply
I think that issue of profits is only in Mumbai.
In Gujarat its supposredly about the comments he made about NBA, though I cant figure out why that should be a reason not to show his movies.
Another example of intolerance.
May 25th, 2006 at 9:09 am reply
Finally Yash Chopra and multiplex owners have agreed on their individual cuts.As far a the Gujrat movie ban is concerned there is hardly any scope of negociation .What I fail to understand with a heated up issue like reservation that is dividing the Indian society all our principal opposition party can think of is banning an Aamir Khan movie !! Other than George Fernandes no-one even spoke about the atrocity with which the anti-reservation protesters were treated.Why is BJP missing the cue everytime? Also surprisingly why is Javed-Shabana and Mahesh Bhat silent at this issue. If age has got anything to do with mellowing down the flame-breathers then why is Dev Anand making a hulla-bulla.We are indeed living in interesting times.
May 25th, 2006 at 11:30 am reply
Confused, If Aamir’s remarks are the sole reason for banning Fanaa, then the joke is on them unless of course, the state government is putting pressure on them; in that case, I can’t help but feel sorry for them.
Bishu, Politics indeed is a strange thing…can pop up wierd unimportant things whereas more pertinent issues lay simmering on the backburner.
May 28th, 2006 at 6:31 am reply
Gujaratis are angry. Gujaratis are pro progress and development and hence cannot tolerate any obstacle to the development.
May 28th, 2006 at 10:34 am reply
Cerebral, ok! I’ll give Gujarat another 5 years to implode and then we’ll see if you guys still want a fascist government.