08-28-2007, 11:43 PM
<b>Dhokha -The Muslim viewpoint</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Why do you want Dhokha to be tax-free?</b>
I want Muslims, Dalits and Assamese to come see my film. Iâm not interested in bouquets. I want to go and see the film in a cinema hall with the young generation from the minorities who stand up and say I have said what they feel.
The message of the film seems to be that India treated Muslims unfairly. Isnât that a tough stand to take?
If youâve seen my previous films like Tamanna and Zakhm, youâll know this is not the first time Iâm taking a stand. I believe in the film and am not scared to answer questions. Iâd have been frightened if I had spent my life only making popcorn flicks or regressive TV serials.
<b>Why does the film stay away from showing Pakistan needling in Indiaâs affairs?</b>
Was Pakistan responsible for the Gujarat riots? Has Narendra Modi come from Pakistan? Did the Best Bakery case happen due to Pakistan? Read the Srikrishna Comm-ission report and you will know what I am talking. For saying this, Dhokha might get banned in Gujarat. But havenât I said the truth?Â
<b>You send out the message through your protagon-istâ Muzammil Ibrahim. Did you pick Muzammil because he is a Muslim?</b>
See, I wanted someone who would look Muslim and be natural in performing the mosque prayers. The character had to look believable.
<b>You have not talked about the minority in India in general. You chose to tell your story through only a Muslim?</b>
Today, what is the divide? Isnât it Islam versus the rest of the world? The world changed after 9/11. Thereafter, Muslims were looked upon differently. Itâs almost as if every Muslim is related to Osama Bin Laden. Yes, Iâm telling the story of Dhokha through a Muslim, but isnât the Muslim minority the largest minority in our country? (pauses).
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I want Muslims, Dalits and Assamese to come see my film. Iâm not interested in bouquets. I want to go and see the film in a cinema hall with the young generation from the minorities who stand up and say I have said what they feel.
The message of the film seems to be that India treated Muslims unfairly. Isnât that a tough stand to take?
If youâve seen my previous films like Tamanna and Zakhm, youâll know this is not the first time Iâm taking a stand. I believe in the film and am not scared to answer questions. Iâd have been frightened if I had spent my life only making popcorn flicks or regressive TV serials.
<b>Why does the film stay away from showing Pakistan needling in Indiaâs affairs?</b>
Was Pakistan responsible for the Gujarat riots? Has Narendra Modi come from Pakistan? Did the Best Bakery case happen due to Pakistan? Read the Srikrishna Comm-ission report and you will know what I am talking. For saying this, Dhokha might get banned in Gujarat. But havenât I said the truth?Â
<b>You send out the message through your protagon-istâ Muzammil Ibrahim. Did you pick Muzammil because he is a Muslim?</b>
See, I wanted someone who would look Muslim and be natural in performing the mosque prayers. The character had to look believable.
<b>You have not talked about the minority in India in general. You chose to tell your story through only a Muslim?</b>
Today, what is the divide? Isnât it Islam versus the rest of the world? The world changed after 9/11. Thereafter, Muslims were looked upon differently. Itâs almost as if every Muslim is related to Osama Bin Laden. Yes, Iâm telling the story of Dhokha through a Muslim, but isnât the Muslim minority the largest minority in our country? (pauses).
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