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Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who scripted his daughter's latest film
"Dhokha" that puts the spotlight on terrorists and the fear in
which Indian Muslims live, says this is his first political film.
"I've co-written with Shagufta Rafiq. As a Muslim, she shares the
dread and fears of the Indian Muslim," Bhatt, who has taken a break
from direction, told IANS.
Starring newcomer Muzamil Ibrahim as a police officer along with
Tulip Joshi, who plays his wife and suicide bomber, the disturbing
drama got favourable reviews from the critics.
Asked him does he feel Islam is being misinterpreted, Bhatt said:
"Islam is a religion that doesn't condone the massacre of the
innocent. Once the Prophet was asked what's the most blessed
thing. He answered, to tell the truth to the oppressive ruler."
Bhatt, who has stopped directing films, made meaningful films like
"Saraansh", "Arth", "Kaash", "Naam", "Daddy" and "Zakhm".
Excerpts:
Q: "Dhokha", which you've written, sounds an alarmist note about
the isolation of Muslims in India.
A: This sounds alarmist. But it's a reality brought on by the
delaying tactics of the bureaucracy and the apathy of the police
force, and not just after communal riots and post 9/11. This has
been the case for a long time. But the apathy has been legitimised
after King Bush (US president George W. Bush) turned his guns on
the Muslims.
I feel the worst terrorist in the world doesn't live in
Afghanistan, he lives in the White House. It's sad that our
country has chosen to tie our apron strings to his policies. I
shudder to think what price we'll have to pay for our affinity to
Bush. I guess slavery comes in very attractive packages. The
affluent elite has legitimised this kind of slavery. I'm willing
to hang Osama on the streets of Mumbai provided you first let me
hang Bush. According to me, they're both terrorists of the worst
kind.
Q: Your writing in "Dhokha" is patently political?
A: "Dhokha" is my first political film, which I've co-written with
Shagufta Rafiq. As Mulism she shares the dread and fears of the
Indian Muslim.
Q: Do you feel Islam is being misinterpreted?
A: Islam is a religion that doesn't condone the massacre of the
innocent. Once the Prophet was asked what's the most blessed
thing. He answered, to tell the truth to the oppressive ruler.
"Dhokha" shows the mirrors to those brutes posing as custodians of
Islam. It also put the government in the dock. Historically,
government is the primary violator of human rights. First the
government has to do some soul-searching before taking on
terrorism. There cannot be peace without justice.
By Subhash K. Jha
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