Meera Kiss Update
What's in a kiss? Imagine
being fined for one! As tinsel town is abuzz with reports of the Pakistan
government slapping a fine on actress Meera for a kissing scene in a Mahesh
Bhatt flick, AT goes behind the camera to check out if reality bites as hard...
|
Dear
Prez Director Mahesh Bhatt dashed off an e-mail to President Musharraf. He also mailed a copy to AT : Respected Sir, The first Indo-Pak film which is still to see the light of the day has reportedly come under fire from your government. How is it possible that on the one hand you urge us to build formidable ties between our two countries, while on the other hand you clip our wings when we try to do so. The recent furore over the alleged vulgarity in our film Nazar which has your Pakistani actress Meera has no basis as no one has seen this film. How is it possible for your government to make such assumptions? Please do look into this and let me know your official position on this sensitive matter. I can assure you that we, as filmmakers and bridgebuilders, have no wish to offend the sensibilities of your nation. Best wishes. Mahesh Bhatt (Film Maker) |
When Nelson Mandela gave Shabana Azmi a peck on the cheeks to
startle 'conservative Indians' not used to the ways of the world, the year was
1993.
But that was long time ago. Since then, things have changed, but a harmless 'kiss' still manages to create a furore. Mallika Sherawat launched herself with her famous '17 sexy kisses' film and the media worked overtime when Kareena and Shahid Kapoor were caught liplocked. Small wonder then that the Pakistani government, far more conservative than even the most rightwing of Indian governments, has slapped a fine on Pak actress Meera, for doing a 'kissing scene' in Mahesh Bhatt's new movie!
Needless to say, Bhatt saab is fuming. The director spent the whole of Thursday calling up friends and well-wishers in Pakistan, trying to get a hold on things. "This incident will jeopardise the money, passion and involvement that I have put in this unique Indo-Pak venture. Besides no one has seen the film yet. I am also aware that this film will be shown in Pakistan and so the 'scene' in question doesn't even have a passionate kiss like in Jism or Murder . I can't understand the hullabaloo," he says. Bhatt has shot off a letter to Prez Musharraf, asking him for his "official view" while assuring him that the film shows nothing vulgar.
And undoubtedly, while like all kiss kissas this one too will stir up a political debate, one wonders why something as natural as a kiss, should raise such a hue and cry. Actress Neha Dhupia for one, is aghast. "Flowers, bees and umbrellas are sickening. A kiss shown as it is, is natural and that's the way it should be. When the 'kiss' becomes an issue, the script and the performances get lost. It's funny and tragic at the same time."
'Girlfriend' Amrita Arora however, treads cautiously. "We haven't really kept pace with the times. A significant chunk of society still lives in an unreal past. I think kissing scenes are here to stay, and justifiably so."
Actor Emran Hashmi is more direct. "A kiss is a kiss and there's nothing arty or crass about a kiss," he says. "Everyone kisses -- some do it openly, others behind closed doors. There can never be a world without kisses and I am amazed that people could even think otherwise." One wonders what Mian Musharraf thinks of that!
But that was long time ago. Since then, things have changed, but a harmless 'kiss' still manages to create a furore. Mallika Sherawat launched herself with her famous '17 sexy kisses' film and the media worked overtime when Kareena and Shahid Kapoor were caught liplocked. Small wonder then that the Pakistani government, far more conservative than even the most rightwing of Indian governments, has slapped a fine on Pak actress Meera, for doing a 'kissing scene' in Mahesh Bhatt's new movie!
Needless to say, Bhatt saab is fuming. The director spent the whole of Thursday calling up friends and well-wishers in Pakistan, trying to get a hold on things. "This incident will jeopardise the money, passion and involvement that I have put in this unique Indo-Pak venture. Besides no one has seen the film yet. I am also aware that this film will be shown in Pakistan and so the 'scene' in question doesn't even have a passionate kiss like in Jism or Murder . I can't understand the hullabaloo," he says. Bhatt has shot off a letter to Prez Musharraf, asking him for his "official view" while assuring him that the film shows nothing vulgar.
And undoubtedly, while like all kiss kissas this one too will stir up a political debate, one wonders why something as natural as a kiss, should raise such a hue and cry. Actress Neha Dhupia for one, is aghast. "Flowers, bees and umbrellas are sickening. A kiss shown as it is, is natural and that's the way it should be. When the 'kiss' becomes an issue, the script and the performances get lost. It's funny and tragic at the same time."
'Girlfriend' Amrita Arora however, treads cautiously. "We haven't really kept pace with the times. A significant chunk of society still lives in an unreal past. I think kissing scenes are here to stay, and justifiably so."
Actor Emran Hashmi is more direct. "A kiss is a kiss and there's nothing arty or crass about a kiss," he says. "Everyone kisses -- some do it openly, others behind closed doors. There can never be a world without kisses and I am amazed that people could even think otherwise." One wonders what Mian Musharraf thinks of that!
