07-05-2005, 05:58 AM
A new take on fundamentalism
Anjali Dhal Samanta
Film shows that tackling fundamentalism with fanaticism is counter-productive
NEW DELHI: "Samira" could be any ordinary girl living in some town of Kerala; an ordinary girl who has to live through the reality of growing religious fundamentalism as her husband gets drawn towards terrorism.
Premiered in the Capital on Monday, "Daivanamathil" is a story about a Muslim family coming to terms with fundamentalism. Directed by Kerala-based director Jayaraaj, this 100-minute film aims to portray how Muslim youth, reacting to Hindu fanaticism, are drawn towards terrorism. However, it tries to establish that reacting to Hindu fundamentalism with fanaticism is counter-productive. Instead, it suggests that the answers lie in the path shown by our freedom fighters during the struggle for India's independence.
"There is a feeling of insecurity among the Muslim youth. But taking up terrorism is not the right path," said producer and scriptwriter Aryadan Shoukath at a press conference here on Monday. Explaining how the story was conceived, Aryadan said: "The real story behind this film is my personal experiences. A friend of mine, who was a strong secularist with a Leftist bent of mind, went for a post-graduation degree to Aligarh Muslim University. When he returned from the University, he was completely transformed. I was shocked! This friend had become a fundamentalist. He had been a part of the University when the Babri Masjid was being demolished. This story has emerged from that observation and my research." But he is quick to point out that the film is not a comment on the University. "It could have happened anywhere. For this film, I have borrowed from my experience. But this is certainly not a generalisation about the University," he said.
For Jayaraaj, as a Hindu, directing this film was a learning experience. "When Shoukath asked me to direct this film, I was very excited. I have always wanted to know more about this. This is so far my favourite film. And the feeling has always been that such films are directed mostly by Muslims. I thought I could do a little bit for society through this," said the director, who has numerous national awards to his name.
"The film suggests that the answer is in the legacy of the freedom movement. I have noticed that after the communal carnage in Gujarat, people have started negotiating with every association. The Muslims were targeted but the solution is not that we meet every group. This is a dangerous trend to fight against communalism," said Shabnam Hashmi of Anhad.
Anjali Dhal Samanta
Film shows that tackling fundamentalism with fanaticism is counter-productive
NEW DELHI: "Samira" could be any ordinary girl living in some town of Kerala; an ordinary girl who has to live through the reality of growing religious fundamentalism as her husband gets drawn towards terrorism.
Premiered in the Capital on Monday, "Daivanamathil" is a story about a Muslim family coming to terms with fundamentalism. Directed by Kerala-based director Jayaraaj, this 100-minute film aims to portray how Muslim youth, reacting to Hindu fanaticism, are drawn towards terrorism. However, it tries to establish that reacting to Hindu fundamentalism with fanaticism is counter-productive. Instead, it suggests that the answers lie in the path shown by our freedom fighters during the struggle for India's independence.
"There is a feeling of insecurity among the Muslim youth. But taking up terrorism is not the right path," said producer and scriptwriter Aryadan Shoukath at a press conference here on Monday. Explaining how the story was conceived, Aryadan said: "The real story behind this film is my personal experiences. A friend of mine, who was a strong secularist with a Leftist bent of mind, went for a post-graduation degree to Aligarh Muslim University. When he returned from the University, he was completely transformed. I was shocked! This friend had become a fundamentalist. He had been a part of the University when the Babri Masjid was being demolished. This story has emerged from that observation and my research." But he is quick to point out that the film is not a comment on the University. "It could have happened anywhere. For this film, I have borrowed from my experience. But this is certainly not a generalisation about the University," he said.
For Jayaraaj, as a Hindu, directing this film was a learning experience. "When Shoukath asked me to direct this film, I was very excited. I have always wanted to know more about this. This is so far my favourite film. And the feeling has always been that such films are directed mostly by Muslims. I thought I could do a little bit for society through this," said the director, who has numerous national awards to his name.
"The film suggests that the answer is in the legacy of the freedom movement. I have noticed that after the communal carnage in Gujarat, people have started negotiating with every association. The Muslims were targeted but the solution is not that we meet every group. This is a dangerous trend to fight against communalism," said Shabnam Hashmi of Anhad.