What does one make of a lone Pakistani watching the latest Rajinikanth blockbuster Kabali in a packed Dubai movie hall? Nothing but entertainment. I had followed the star to his show. In fact, I was led by my kin from India to Rajiniland. And I must confess, he held me spellbound. I don’t know why. It makes no sense.
Sanam Teri Kassam featured Pakistan’s Mawra Hocane opposite South Indian actor Harshvardhan Rane.
The two countries should make more movies and not talk of war.
Khaleej Times
What does one make of a lone Pakistani watching the latest Rajinikanth blockbuster Kabali in a packed Dubai movie hall? Nothing but entertainment. I had followed the star to his show. In fact, I was led by my kin from India to Rajiniland. And I must confess, he held me spellbound. I don’t know why. It makes no sense.
Fans whistled, shouted, screamed, danced on chairs and in the aisles. Thalaiva!, (boss) they shouted. Magizhchi (I’m pleased and happy), he responded in his trademark style.
Rajnikanth being Rajnikanth, he then rained blows to knock the villains senseless. Logic can wait for another day. Action matters. The Tamil superstar was superman last Friday. Just like the hundreds in the multiplex, I was in awe.
Before I continue, let me put things into perspective. My ancestors hail from the south of India. They moved to Pakistan after Partition in 1947. I still have family in Chennai and Bengaluru. And yes, the Tamil superstar felt like one of my own. I could connect with him. “History is being created,’’ said my family as they bulk booked tickets for this show of shows. As for me, this was a show of solidarity - from Pakistan to India.
Back to the movie. The southern star didn’t for a moment disappoint. His hard-hitting dialogues hit the mark. The crowd’s reaction said it all, but for me it took time to sink in with my limited knowledge of Tamil. I was entertained, even amused, as I confirmed the meaning of what the hero was saying after reading the subtitles. Here was our universal star, someone who could bring some warmth to cold India-Pakistan ties.
Rajini in fact has been one of my favourite actors after his eighties megahit Andhaa Kanoon, which also starred Amitabh Bachchan. I have emotional ties with the hero from Chennai who could build a bridge to Pakistan.
It also reminded me of another movie, Sanam Teri Kassam by Pakistan’s Mawra Hocane (she spells ‘Hussain’ as Hocane). I watched the movie at a Karachi theatre early this year - Pakistan these days is abuzz with Indian releases on the silver screen, which are a thumping success. Hocane, the 22-year-old Pakistani beauty, was paired opposite another South Indian actor Harshvardhan Rane in the movie. The duo made magic and the film was a winner. A society that is losing itself to extremism found love across the border. No honour killing here, only pure entertainment.
An advocate of Indo-Pak relations, actor Om Puri feels that artists are not bound by borders. Seen here with producer Fizza Ali Meerza and director Nabeel Qureshi.
After this experience, I realised that cinema has the power to heal. Audiences love romance. They want to be entertained and transported to a different world where love prevails. Bollywood star Vidya Balan lip synced it well when she said, “People want entertainment, entertainment, and only entertainment”.
But unfortunately, the reality is different. There’s been more war than love between India-Pakistan. Ties have hit a nadir as I write this column. There’s policy confusion, rivalry and political brinkmanship. Indians and Pakistanis live next to each other but don’t see eye to eye. Their hearts are distant from peace.
While browsing television channels, the constant on both the sides is hate and venom. Armchair analysts and establishment opinion-makers leave no stone unturned in making a case that the dispensation on the other side of the great divide is an existential threat.
Saner elements who seek coexistence, and advocate a way to iron out bilateral irritants, are either dubbed as traitors or agents.
The worsening law and order situation in Kashmir has complicated the relationship. Peace initiatives from Ufa, New York and Bangkok have been wasted. Normalisation of visa regime, promoting trade and tourism, furthering people-to-people contacts are all but dreams. Extremist elements on both sides continue to have a free run. So Anupam Kher’s visa application to travel to Lahore is rejected, legendary Ghulam Ali cannot enthrall the audience in Delhi for fear of the religious-right.
But let’s not give up hope yet. Naseeruddin Shah, Dilip Kumar, Om Puri are all time favourites in Pakistan. The Khan trio also has a large fan following. Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Abida Parveen have taken India by storm. Late legendary vocalist Mehdi Hassan and Lata Mangeshkar are revered by people of both countries.
Pakistan and Indian artists should put politics in the shade. It is high time the third generation of leaders gave a decent burial to acrimony, and march together for a new era of cooperation. This is what is expected of them in an era of energy pipelines and economic corridors in South Asia. Let Lollywood and Bollywood mesmerise 1.5 billion people of the Subcontinent for a cause.
Rajinikanth in Kabali helped me connect with my family and roots. It didn’t matter where I came from, or where I belonged. It was about sharing the joy with like-minded people who adore him. It was time for magizhchi (happiness).
