Life & Style

Is Bajrangi Bhaijaan inspired by Pakistani activist Ansar Burney?

It appears there are glaring similarities between the film and a case undertaken by Burney

Entertainment Desk July 30, 2015

It appears there are glaring similarities between the film and a case undertaken by Burney. PHOTO: FILE

Bollywood blockbuster Bajrangi Bhaijan has broken several records at the box office. And not only that, the film has managed to get Pakistanis and Indians closer in a rather unique way. Turns out, the Salman Khan-starrer might actually be inspired from our very own human rights activist, Ansar Burney.

Read: Bajrangi Bhaijaan: Communicating the secular message of modern India

A post shared on Ansar's Facebook page claims that he has been trying to reunite a 21-year-old deaf and mute Indian girl Geeta with her parents for over three years. Geeta accidentally strayed into Pakistan from India some 13 years ago. She was eight-years-old back then and was found by the Pakistani police at the Lahore railway station.

Ansar visited India in October 2012 with photographs and video of Geeta. His visit was covered by Indian as well as international media. Ansar also shared a report by an Indian TV channel on his Facebook page which was done in October 2012. Here take a look:

Burney took over the girl's case and decided to reunite her with her family. The only details Geeta could provide (by writing this down in Hindi) were that she had seven brothers and three sisters and that her house was located in fields near a river with a hospital and a hotel nearby.

Read: #BollywoodPoisoningPak calls for boycott of Bajrangi Bhaijaan

Those who have seen Bajrangi Bhaijaan will be able to tell that there are glaring similarities between Geeta's case and the script of the movie. In the film however, the mute girl is Pakistani and lost in India with Salman trying to take her back home.

What do you think?

COMMENTS (11)

MUK | 9 years ago | Reply I don't think its copied but inspired. Many movies even in west inspired by true events.

Raghu | 9 years ago | Reply @Liberal: Dude salman and shahrukh are not India. all we can do is laugh at your choice of movies.India is vast with lot more diverse kinds of bollywood and regional movies. Now you like the less intelligent pretensive movies of these guys talks about your intelligence. My suggestion is to watch other types of indian films especially beyond the bollywood crap and then come back and give your verdict. ask me if u need suggestions.

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Vectra | 9 years ago | Reply Its disgusting to see that many in pakistan tries to take credit from someones others work for which they have not worked or spend a single penny on it.Inspirational stories exists in all over the world including in India and it is not copyright of anyone.

Indo Pakistani from India | 9 years ago | Reply It is not stolen rather could be inspired. There are many cases of Pakistani and Indian children crossing the border. Many times returned by border guards on the other side. If the girl was speaking it would be the end of the story. The fact she doesn't talk is the reason why it continues and why it shows labels are not important. The hero here was not a billionaire but a simple guy from a conservative family. Before this ramchand Pakistani was there but there was no actual exploration of the other person's land and the main character was Pakistani. More importantly why didn't a Pakistani drama director, of which I am a big fan, or a Pakistani movie director not make this into a movie. Did they believe a story of the Indian girl of Hindu background would not be a hit in the land and across the border? It is a daring story and if Pakistani producers and directors taken it up it would have made a great Pakistani drama. But they did not. Only 2 common elements of a girl across the border, being dumb and helped by someone across the other side do not make it "borrowed." Now Chand Nawab and the qawaali is borrowed. One with permission of Chand Nawab and the second is controversial. However it is also sung by a Pakistani singer. I'd like to see more Pakistani movies/dramas being made on Pakistan's unique history and culture. Something on Indus Valley or on Harappa/Mohenjodaro or on Shah Hussain/Madho Lal. I know a Bollywood movie with Hrithik Roshan is being made on Indus Valley. If it succeeds, don't call it "borrowed" but a "missed opportunity." Also why is it that no Pakistani dramas (apart from Dastan which was a negative portrayal as per the times) that I know of show any positive Hindu characters or Christian characters..ones that are free to practice their religion? A Pakistani drama/movie equivalent of BB would do exceedingly well if released in India which showed a positive image of India. Maybe one day in next 50 years it could be made. Thanks. I have many Pakistani friends so I am not a hater I just believe you are under-selling yourself and then if Indians find inspiring ideas and use them one can hardly call it borrowing.

Tiwana | 9 years ago | Reply Bajrangi bhai Jan's story has been stolen from South indian movie which was released in 2010 the guy in the movie also goes to pakistan amid all the phobias projected at him by fellow beings but instead he finds people full of humanity and love, I hope and expect the younger generation of both countries to forgive and forget whatever ATTROCITIES both have committed on each other and also to my fellow Indians, every time a Pakistani comments on Indian website they start to abuse him or her, but you rarely see Pakistanis doing that, they do it but they can discuss too which I don't think Indians are capable of, plus point to Pakistanis there

Vikas | 9 years ago | Reply The film is not about being proud to be a Pakistani or an Indian. It's about being proud to be a human. Humanity is found in Pakistan Afghanistan America and any country which we perceive as our enemy. Instead of being proud to belong to a particular nation which divides people its proud to be a human being which unites people across nations.

Boo Ali | 9 years ago | Reply Yes this guy is Boo Ali in Bhajrangi Bhaijaan

Pakistani | 9 years ago | Reply He's well known and respected here and across the border so very likely some indian writer got inspiration/idea from his activities. Proud that we have such inspiring personalities in Pakistan.

Bradar | 9 years ago | Reply This guy knows how to grab every single chance of self projection.

Shafaq | 9 years ago | Reply Good 2 know. I am sure now it will be easy for Mr. Ansar Burney to locate Geeta's family in India. Best of luck to all those people here and there who are working for humanity.

Liberal | 9 years ago | Reply ET, how can you even try o snatch away "borrowed" glory from Indians?

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