New Delhi: Multiplex owners in Gujarat on Tuesday decided not to screen Parzania, a film about a Parsi family’s search for their young son who goes missing during the Godhra riots in the state.
The film, directed by Rahul Dholakia, was released across the country on January 26 except in Gujarat. Multiplex owners in the state justified their decision, saying that they feared vandalism, especially in the wake of the Bajrang Dal warning that it would disrupt any attempt to screen the movie if it hurt Hindu sentiments.
The move came despite an assurance by city Police Commissioner J Mahapatra that multiplexes showing the movie would be protected.
Parzania, starring Naseeruddin Shah and Sarika, is based on the real life story of a Parsi couple from Ahmedabad who lost their son in the riots in 2002. The film was completed a year ago but its release was delayed in India.
At a meeting with the Multiplex Owners Association Tuesday, Dholakia was informed that they would not screen the movie in their theatres.
"As the movie is on the subject of the Godhra riots, we feel it is likely to create problems if shown in multiplexes. We have decided not to screen the movie,” said Multiplex Owners Association President Manubhai Patel.
"I am very sad at the development. This movie is about a Gujarati boy who is missing from this state. When the people of the country are watching this movie, why can't the people of Gujarat watch this movie in cinema halls?" PTI quoted Dholakia as saying.
The filmmaker will now approach single-screen theatres to screen the movie in the state. Dholakia's group is also thinking of alternative means to legally screen the movie in the state.
"It is very important that Gujarat should see the film because the film is about Gujarat, the boy was lost here and his family lives here," Dholakia told IANS.
Earlier, the Multiplex Owners Association had indicated that Parzania would be screened in Gujarat from February 9.
The film was scheduled to be specially screened for the Multiplex Owners Association of Ahmedabad by Dholakia before its release. But when the Association demanded that the movie should also be shown to Bajrang Dal leaders, Dholakia refused, adding that they were not the authority.
(With PTI inputs)
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