Not long ago I wrote about the Da Vinci Code causing quite a scandal here in India. That bubble has almost burst and lo and behold we have another movie that is causing a stir. The film Fanaa (Destruction) has the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) in Gujarat in an unexpected twist. Well, it’s not exactly a problem with the movie, but with its lead actor, Aamir Khan.

You see, Aamir Khan has recently had a stint as a social activist. He made the mistake of saying what he thinks in the largest democracy in the world. It all started with people protesting against raising the height of the Narmada dam that we supposedly need in India to meet our insatiable demand for energy, particularly in this case: electricity. The protesters are demanding proper rehabilitation for the thousands of people who have been displaced by this gigantic project. Aamir Khan joined in to give more voice to his demands. That did it.

Gujarat’s ruling right-wing Hindu party, the BJP, has banned all products endorsed by the actor, including Coca Cola and Toyota cars, and also his latest film, Fanaa. This in no way represents the will of the general public in the state nor does it make much sense. The film was released a few days ago in the rest of the country and has had a good response.

When will our political parties realize that the people are no longer moved by these frenzied agitations, which lack any real depth and are only made for show? The losers in this case are only the people of Gujarat. They need to realize that speaking your mind on any issue facing the people of India is the fundamental right of every citizen of the country. We can’t censor people in society just because we don’t like what they say.

Fanaa is about the relationship between a blind girl and an undercover terrorist. She has nothing against the state or the people of Gujarat. Why then should it be banned? It is conventional cinema that will work well or not according to its own virtues as a film. All this furor is the hype that small-time politicians generate mainly for their fifteen minutes of fame.

for everyone there hot heads looking for a ban for an actor or anyone who makes use of their freedom of expression, let’s remember that maybe they they are living in the wrong part of the world here. I would suggest a mass migration to a much cooler place, say North Korea.