Refrain from making unnecessary remarks on films: PM Narendra Modi advises BJP workers

The statement was recorded during the BJP national executive meeting in New Delhi

During the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national executive meeting on Tuesday, Indian premier Narendra Modi voiced out his disappointment at his party members for their continuous involvement in "unproductive" activities like issuing "unwarranted" remarks on films. According to the Times of India, Modi also advised his members to refrain from this practice in the future.

"Several good deeds and accomplishments are overshadowed as some of us wade into unnecessary controversies like making unwarranted remarks about a film, which sets a different narrative and becomes the new headline for the next 48 hours," said Modi as per the aforementioned publication.

Moving on, it was reported that the premier also suggested that BJP workers should focus on their current duties and see the bigger picture of societal development in India, instead of pointing out measly matters of the entertainment industry. "BJP is not only a political party, but it has transformed into a social organisation and its workers should act accordingly," sternly stated Modi.

The Union Minister of Education of India Dharmendra Pradhan also reportedly reminded the workers present at the meeting that the BJP government under the leadership of Modi does not believe in sloganeering but in "taking actions and bringing results."

While PM Modi did not take any names publically, it is assumed he was referring to the recent uproar involving a few prominent BJP leaders, Bhopal MP Sadhvi Pragya Thakur and Madhya Pradesh minister Narottam Mishra calling for a boycott of the movie Pathaan, which stars Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone in pivotal roles.

After the long-awaited film Pathaan released its first track titled Besharam Rang on social media in December 2022, Mishra expressed his displeasure over its visuals and called out the makers, specifically pointing out Padukone's skimpy wardrobe in the sizzling number.

As quoted by the news agency ANI, the minister said, “The costumes in the song at first glance are objectionable. It is clearly visible that the song of the film Pathaan has been shot with a dirty mindset. I don't think this is right, and I will tell the director and makers of the film to fix it. Earlier also Deepika Padukone came in the support of Tukde Tukde Gang at JNU and that's why her mentality has come in front of everyone before.”

Later, a right-wing organisation based in Chandigarh also urged the local government to ban the screening of Siddharth Anand's upcoming directorial and pursued criminal action against its creators over the song, which wreaked havoc and led to protests all around the country.

On January 4, several men from the Hindu group Bajrang Dal visited the Alpha One mall in Ahmedabad and caused a massive commotion in the multiplex area, by tearing down the posters of Pathaan and destroying the cut-out posters of King Khan and Padukone.

According to Bollywood Hungama, "The group also threatened the multiplex officials to ban the release of the film in theatres." In a video shared online by ANI, the group members shouted slogans and destroyed the mall property, despite multiple warnings from mall authorities.

On December 12, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson Prasoon Joshi issued a statement revealing that the creators of the spy action-thriller film have been asked to implement “advised changes including the songs and submit the revised version."

Although Pathaan is now approved by CBFC and all set to hit the big screens on January 25, 2023, more films such as Kashmir Flies and Laal Singh Chaddha have also been a target of BJP workers' criticisms.

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