AAMIRS PK: A FLAWED GEM AND A GLORIOUS OPPORTUNITY LOST ( MUST SEE WITH GUARDS UP) Had an occasion to see Aamir Khans PK. Surprised to see someone known for his objectivity and fairness dish out a singularly one-sided damnation of one community in Hindu-Muslim misunderstandings. The least he could have done was to balance the attack on the clergy of all the religions - something so easily achievable with a minor script-correction. Or does he seriously believe that religious stupidity and bigotry are the exclusive preserve of only one community? I am definitely not saying that the bias is intentional but it is certainly an artisitic failure to keep hsi social criticism even handed . And Aamir has to be terribly blind to community-sensitivities to keep the focus entirely on the wrong doings of just one community - making just perfunctory and ritualistic passing references to the fanaticism of others. As a serious artist and film maker, he should have been extremely careful about presenting a balanced view of competitive communal stupidity of the Hindus and the Muslims in the present context . I am surprised that he virtually tempted his fortune a little too much by giving a lop-sided view of things. The film comes against the dangerous back-drop of a potentially divisive and even explosive social debate on subjects like Love Jehad , conversions, Mandir Nirman and stuff like that. Anushkas love interest is shown to be an extremely charming, innocent and honest Pakistan Muslim pitted against some devious, dishonest and hypocritical non-Muslim clergy from India. So far, so good. But the film , even while implying a strong comment on the needless demonisation of Muslims and of Pakistanis by the Indian clergy stops short of providing a parallel on the role of the Muslim clergy in the same debate. As symbolism ( which the film uses liberally ) goes, this certainly exposes the film makers to the charge of communal bias. Unintentional yes, but professionally and artistically a bias nevertheless. And that makes Aamirs refusal or failure ( possibly both) to be fair, objective and and impartial in his presentation of communal mess all the more stark, incredible, un-understandable and ...well, unforgivable. One must heave a sigh of relief that the audience response in India has by and large displayed far greater restraint and maturity than shown by those involved in the making of this otherwise note-worthy but flawed film. In its defense, all one could say is that the exceptional and flawless personal credentials of Aamir Khan , one of our most charming, lovable and remarkably secular icons, is enough to absolve the film of the charge of any deliberate prejudice. India is proud of Aamir as it is of Dilip Kumar, but that merely increases rather than diminishes the need for these great sons of our country to be extremely careful in handling communally-charged subjects such as the one PK deals with. Greater the public adulation which these remarkable artists and human beings from India enjoy among millions and millions of film-goers and others in the country, greater is the responsibility and sensitivity which they have to display in their public dealings and works. All in all, a great opportunity lost. Here was Aamirs chance to deliver a telling blow to the communal madness, irrational religious fanaticism and blind and unquestioning adherence to ridiculous yet dangerous practices and attitudes of different communities in India. No one is more qualified and better equipped to make a strong secular statement on the plight of our society than Aamir. But for this, he not only had to act but also to appear to act with a truly secular and unbiased manner while offering criticism of both the principal parties to the communal debate in India. The film is marked by excellent performances by just about the entire cast, including surprisingly Anushka herself who more than holds her own against a stalwart of Aamirs stature. Sanjay Dutt, in a brief but unforgettable cameo, looks endearing as only he can. Music is passable.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 20:54:13 +0000
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