<i>Fanaa</i> not to be screened in Gujurat

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Ahmedabad (UNI): After Rang De Basanti, cine star Aamir Khan would pay another price for his support to NBA activist Medha Patkar, as the Gujarat Multiplex Owners Assocation (GMOA) today decided not to screen the star's new movie Fanaa in all the multiplexs of Gujarat, which is being released in all India next Friday. GMOA spokesman Chirag Shah told UNI that the Association took the decision in protest against the star's support to Ms Patkar on Narmada issue, which is lifeline project of the Gujarat.

Mr Shah said that the movie Fanaa would not be screened in all the 22 multiplexes of Gujarat. He said the decision was not taken fearing hooligans at the multiplexs but to express the solidarity with the feelings of the people of Gujarat who have been waiting for almost half a century for the completion of the lifeline project to solve the drinking water problem of the state. Mr Khan plays the lead role in the film with Kajol. The film has been directed the Kunal Kohli.

Mr Khan has been facing the Gujarati public opposition following his support to Narmada Abhiyan leaders in April. Congress workers attacked a cinema house showing an Aamir Khan film in Vadodara and forced the authorities to suspend the show. The demonstration spread to many other parts of Gujarat. Effigies of the actor and Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar were burnt. BJP supporters and representatives of various voluntary organisations also joined the protest in Ahmedabad, Surat and many other places. Both the Youth Congress and the BJP Yuva Morcha have given a call to the people to boycott Aamir Khan's films in protest against his open support to the NBA. The cinema theatre owners in most parts of the State have suspended Aamir Khan's films apprehending disturbances last month.

Aamir's much-publicised strong stance in support of Narmada Bachao Andolan and statements against communal violence in Gujarat have also added to his appeal amongst the youth. Though the actor has angered certain Gujarati political circles, who are now opposing the release of his films in the state, the film's producer is carrying out hectic parleys to secure clearance for his film. Fanaa, interestingly, has been making news from the word go. Beginning with its unique title - Fanaa, which means 'completely destroyed' - makes one wonder if Aamir will die once again in the climax, after Mangal Pandey and Rang De Basanti.

Kohli, who shot to fame with his 2004 hit Hum Tum has also roped in yesteryear's superstar Rishi Kapoor and critically acclaimed actress Tabu. Shot in Kashmir, Delhi and Poland, others in the cast include Kirron Kher, Shiney Ahuja, Gautami Kapoor and Lara Dutta in a cameo appearance. Fanaa marks Aamir's first attempt at portraying militancy on celluloid.