(8 Nov) Mumbai is changing rapidly. Roads, buildings, shopping arcades, places of entertainment are all changing. No wonder if the city’s people are also changing and some of them are not able to make head or tail of the changes the city’s topography is undergoing, be it south Mumbai or distant suburbs. Recently as people streamed all over the city roads, trying to recognize the landmarks which had undergone several changes there was an animated discussion among them on new and old landmarks. Look at the crowds moving near the famous Mahalaxmi temple. People could only inch forward.
“We can’t miss the Mahalxmi temple,” snapped one of the visitors dressed in saffron. “Ha, where has it disappeared. One of the landmarks here is Mumbai Central station and of course, there was a cinema theatre. I am not bothered about the theatre but the temple is a must. It was Swami Adityanath, a grim-looking MP from UP, known for his strong views on propagating Hindutva. They walked ahead in some silence and were suddenly engulfed in the a huge crowd. It was not the usual, pious temple going crowd but was full of young, dashing college going kids dressed in the latest and dancing to the hot tunes, mostly from the latest films. The youngsters wore wedding costumes and occupied large sections of the road. “The undisciplined ruffians should be chased off the road, such a big nuisance, blocking the roads and delaying the darshan. Pausing to listen carefully the swami observed, ‘Jairamjiki, not this song again, the wedding march from that never-ending bore of the film ‘dilwale dulhaniye …’
We are in power for more than a year but had not banned the film or its cheap songs.” His companion was shocked. “But swamiji, the film almost completed more than a Yug, a super duper hit. And the songs..they hit the roof tops and the roof fell off the roof. “What do you know of such pure hindutva films?” snapped the BJP swami. “Glorious Hindu, Punjab culture, observing all Hindu traditions and rituals: fasting. karva chauth, fasting for the husband, devotion for would-be husband, I have not seen such a film.” His companion protested. “Swamiji, in the end love triumphs. That 420 is Raj boozes beer all the time, makes fun of all rituals. DJLJ makes fun of all Hindu tradition, though the Hindutva dad is an exception he should have been sent to London as our High Commissioner.” “But the boy chosen for kajol is a drunk and violent,” pointed the Hindu Swamiji’s friend, “boozing, shooting pigeons, rash driving, resembled a Punjabi thug. I don’t know how the film ended up a hit. Yogi Adityanath frowned. “We cannot check all these faults. But Shah Rukh was the major flaw in the film. Let us begin an agitation to ban DDLJ with retrospective effect. If Raj wants to romance Simran and fool around with our culture, let him go to Pakistan. The film will not run for a day, Raj and Simran will be ordered to be stoned to death.
