Several Hindus, young and old, Marathi and non-Marathi alike, gathered in protest in front of Bluelight Cinemas on Saturday, 10th of December 2011, against the screening of the Indian (Marathi) film 'Deool'.
The film contains a rap song that denigrates Hindus' revered deity Datta. According to the film's script writer, its script was written to emotionally promote the message of doing away with deities. The protest demonstration was held in response to Forum for Hindu Awakening's appeal to protest, considering the defiance of California Art Assosication (CalAA) to go ahead with the film's screening on the birth anniversary of deity Datta (10th December).
The protestors systematically lined up in front of Bluelight Cinemas at 10am, holding hoardings with protest slogans and the saffron flag of Hinduism (Sanatan Dharma), and flyers to generate awareness about the issue in the passers by and the film goers. As the 11am show time neared, many film goers approached the protestors to ask about the reason for the protest. The protestors explained about the denigration in the film and its subliminal anti-Dharmik message with flyers with the song's lyrics translated into English. The protestors chanted slogans, such as 'Know denigration, preserve Hinduism', 'Anti Hindu CalAA', 'Deool denigrates : Hindus' deity !', ' 'Deool's rap song : denigration all along !', 'Hate speech smashing : Bluelight cashing!', 'Deool's message sublime: eliminate the divine!'
Three hours later, after the film's screening, there was a question-and-answer session between the audience and the film's producer, Abhijeet Gholap. The protesting Hindus were barred by Mukund Marathe, president of CalAA, from attending this session, though it was after the film. Ironically, Marathe, in his response to Forum for Hindu Awakening's letter regarding the denigration, had exhorted the importance of free discussion and debate over the film!
As the viewers streamed out, some mentioned to the protestors that they found the song to be in poor taste, while several thanked the protestors for the awareness generated by the protest demonstrations as it helped them appreciate Hindus' concerns and recognize the denigration in the film.
Many youth asked curious questions and appreciated the perspectives regarding Hinduism and its denigration from the protestors. The protesting Hindus had an opportunity to interact with the film's producer on his way out. When fielding their questions, Gholap at first mentioned that he would not hesitate to make such a rap song about other religions like Islam either. However, towards the end, though hardly acknowledging the denigration issue, he apologized if the film or its song has hurt anyone's feelings.
The 11th December screening of the film at the same theatre met with no protest demonstrations, respecting the earlier promise by the organizers (MMBA, Maharashtra Mandal Bay Area) to mute the denigrating song. It is confirmed by a Forum for Hindu Awakening volunteer, who was allowed to attend the movie screening, that MMBA indeed kept their promise. They muted the song three times with the initiative of their treasurer, Kiran Shinde, considering the Hindus' concerns.
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