BBC News - Gujaratis await Gujarat riots film

Gujaratis await Gujarat riots film
By Monica Chadha
BBC News, Mumbai


A film revolving around the 2002 riots in India's western state of Gujarat has been receiving critical acclaim across the country except in Gujarat itself, where it is yet to be screened.

Film maker Rahul Dholakia's Parzania is based on the real life story of a Parsi family who lost their son when an angry mob attacked their residence during the religious riots.

Theatre owners in Gujarat have said they will see the film and decide for themselves if it is worth screening before releasing it in cinemas.

They are concerned that the film could disturb the peace in the state and people could vandalise their theatres.

According to official figures, more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed during the riots that broke out after nearly 60 Hindus were killed when a train was set on fire in Godhra town, allegedly by a Muslim mob.

'Morally responsible'

Mr Dholakia told the BBC News site that he was friends with the Mody family - on whom the film is based - and was in the US when he heard about the boy's disappearance.

He said he felt "socially and morally responsible" to tell the story.

"I am a Gujarati, my family has been involved with the history and culture of the state and I strongly felt that this story needed to be told," Mr Dholakia said.

He said the film took almost five years to complete and he had used fictitious names for the characters to protect the family.

However, the fact that it is based on the Mody family living in Ahmedabad is known now and the mother of the missing boy, Rupa, has been quoted in newspapers here as appealing to the people to apply pressure on the authorities and ensure that the film is shown in Gujarat.

In the movie, the boy is named Parzan. He is shown to be 10 years at the time of his disappearance. In fact, the boy's name was Azhar and he was 14 years old when he disappeared.

Mr Dholakia is keen that the film be released in Gujarat - "it should be shown everywhere or not shown at all," he says.

Actress Sarika, who has played the role of the mother in the film, says is "wrong" for the film to not be shown in Gujarat.

"The family is very hopeful of the film being aired in the state because there is every possibility that the boy is somewhere in Gujarat. The parents hope that someone somewhere maybe able to give them a useful lead regarding his whereabouts."

Meanwhile, in other parts of the country where it is already being shown, the movie has received excellent reviews.

The two main protagonists, actor Naseeruddin Shah, who plays the father, and Sarika, who plays the mother, have been specially praised.

Moviegoer Aditya Iyengar said the film was "fairly well made".

"I feel the director's message of the ill effects of fanaticism has been conveyed appropriately," he said.

He also said he did not see any reason for why it should not be shown in Gujarat.

"It is based on something that has happened and people are aware of what has happened during the riots. I don't see why it should not be screened there."