Pathaan, Politics and Propaganda!

 

‘Congratulations Sanju sir! Finally, Pathaan has grossed over 1000 Cr. Worldwide.’ Irfan said extending his hand towards Sanjay.

‘Yeah! I told you, this time SRK is gonna kill it. You know, the comeback is always greater than the setback.’ Sanjay replied with a firm handshake.

‘Kya bat hai sir! That’s why I always keep saying that Sanju Sir is no less than SRK for us,’ said Amitabh.

‘Don’t embarrass me by comparing with SRK,’ Sanjay said.

‘I know both of you are SRK fans, but frankly, Salman bhai stole the show with a cameo in Pathaan’ Amitabh expressed while relaxing on the couch.

‘I agree with Amitabh.’ Sanjay affirmed, ‘Actually that was the trailer of Salman’s Tiger 3 and in today’s era, the trailers are better than the movies, and Web series is more interesting than daily soaps.’

‘Very true’ Amitabh nodded.

‘If you remember, in 2018, SRK’s Zero and Rohit Shetty’s Simba were released back-to-back. Simba was a blockbuster and Zero made Zero mullahs at Box Office. But this time, Shetty’s Cirkus flopped badly whereas Pathaan is making history at the Global Box Office. Life has come to a full circle.’

‘Really, I must appreciate your knowledge of entertainment media sir.’ Irfan commented.

‘I agree with Irfan,’ Amitabh agreed.

‘And I must appreciate your knowledge about Politics, Irfan, and Amit.’

‘No sir, it’s not even half of what you have.’ Irfan confessed.

‘Irfan is right.’ Amitabh affirmed.

‘I am still learning with you guys. I have not studied at IIT like you, so my learning curve is a bit longer, in all fields, be it industry or politics.’

‘You are embarrassing us, sirjee’

‘No Irfan, I may be a filmy keeda, but in today’s age films have become a tool of politics, and even the future of movies is decided by politics.’

‘Rightly mentioned Sanju sir,’ Irfan commented, ‘Everyone knows the politics associated with Pathaan and Lal Singh Chaddha.’

‘Lal Singh Chaddha was the victim of the Boycott Gang’s propaganda, although it was a good movie.’ Sanjay said.

‘Yeah, I also felt so, when I watched it on Netflix,’ Amitabh expressed, ‘In fact, I was one of those who didn’t watch Lal Singh Chaddha in theatre falling prey to the social media propaganda by Boycott Gang’.

‘And Ronjoy was another prey of the positive propaganda. He watched The Kashmir Files in theatres due to the buzz around it.’  Irfan informed.

‘Even I watched The Kashmir Files in theatre,’ Amitabh admitted, ‘People were chanting slogans inside the theatres as if it was  a political rally’

‘That’s the power of politics’ Sanjay commented, ‘It can make or break the career of stars and the professionals working hard for that film project’ 

‘Very true. Have you noticed, some so-called fringe elements were carrying out trends like ‘Flop hui Pathan’ and ‘Boycott Bollywood’ on the day of Pathaan’s release? But SRK showed them that they are fringe and he is the King.’ Irfan expressed.

‘I liked the post-release interview of Shahrukh where he said that Deepika is Amar, he is Akbar and John is Anthony of Bollywood and this unity has catapulted Pathaan to making history.’ Sanjay said.

‘Our generations may not recall that in 1648, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj enrolled 400 Pathaans from Adilshah’s army in his army despite some of the Hindu ministers’ opposition.’ Irfan recalled.

‘Yeah, Chhatrapati Shivaji was a King interested in the welfare of his people than their religion’

‘You can say he was a secular King, Amitabh’

‘Yeah, somehow I don’t want to use that term because secular in today’s politics has a different connotation.’

‘But isn’t that what we want to change, Amitabh?’ Sanjay asked.

‘Exactly, our start-up is attempting to change today’s political discourse to a development-oriented approach.’ Amitabh explained.

‘I hope we can do at least half of what we want to achieve. Even that’s a big victory.’

‘Yes, sir. Let’s hope that we come out victorious like Pathaan without falling for the propaganda.'

‘Tathastu,’ said Amitabh and switched on the TV to watch the News.