The MNIK Imbroglio

Protests, controversies, warnings and sporadic incidents of violence. The bottom line: My Name Is Khan released in Mumbai and across the country. Hordes of people turned up to watch the movie, even as the response in Mumbai became the cynosure of all eyes. And, at the epicentre of all this were; the film fraternity, the Shiv Sena and the Media.

The MNIK production team is a happy lot. A bevy of controversies- with the film's protagonist at the centre- ensured that people go out and watch the film. While the central issue had nothing to do with the film itself, the row has been a blessing in disguise. Thousands of SRK fans thronged multiplexes in the country and the world over to get a glimpse of their star in action. As a battery of bollywood stars rooted for SRK, the latter thanked his fans for showing up in large numbers.

The Shiv Sena's claim of disrupting the film's release fell flat on its face. The tiger's roar could not dampen the spirits of the people of Mumbai, who refused to be bullied, and turned up in large numbers. This comes at a time when the party is yet to recover from the embarrassment caused when Sachin Tendulkar remarked that he is an Indian first, and later when the Mumbaikars ignored the Shiv Sena’s call to show black flags to Rahul Gandhi.

The Media on the other hand went overboard with the issue. Live links made way for packages and in no time MNIK was there in the half hour discussion shows. What if a lesser known actor had spoken in favour of Pakistani players for IPL, and his film were at stake. Would the media have covered this in the same manner?