Art can be a powerful medium for creating harmony, but it can also be a great tool for spreading hate.While everyone on the internet is talking about Siddharth Malhotra’s latest contribution to Netflix and the long tradition of Indian propaganda films against Pakistan, an out-of-school literature student is at the bottom of it. A great opportunity has arisen to explore the discourse revealed by Mission Majnu trailers and such media in general. There are pitfalls. Depending on who is in charge, art becomes propaganda and chocolate heroes become chauvinistic national traits.
Nevertheless, to the surprise of many, these films are said to appeal the people’s sense of patriotism.The idea to enhance patriotism by hating Muslims is pathetic.This is how you appear to be human and treat other communities? A few years back The charming “Shah Rukh Khan” talks about a peaceful future for his children built through cooperation and negotiation. Borderless films like” Main Hoon Na” is now seen as relics of a bleak past. However, the exchange couldn’t be more atrocious.
Talking about “Mission Majnu”,Malhotra’s appearance in the movie has become talk of the town. Stereotypical clothing, excesses, and forced accents seem blatantly ridiculous and funny because of inaccuracy of language.We can say that it is the result of conscious effort (rather than lack of it) distinguishing it from another.In Pakistan this movie has been mocked highly on social platforms because of its fakeness. It’s also important to remember why movies like Mission Majnu continue to be made. Simply to win elections, sometimes across borders, sometimes within borders, you need to find something more sacred than your own happiness and the sanctity of human life.
If you want to be inspired by real events, don’t give in to this devastation. Makers should make films on true stories but they will make sure that it would not be agitational.We must use art to spread peace and harmony by telling meaningful stories about our personal histories, traumas, and struggles that inspire connection. For this to happen, rational minds must resist, question, and reject these hateful narratives and understand that we both are fighting against poverty and educational inequality.We have to solve the problems on the discussion table. It is also the responsibility of media houses to create accurate and meaningful stories to foster understanding between communities that leads to a sense of harmony.
