Pause for a second. When you see Sharukh Khan perform on the big screen, do you think - Oh, he is a Muslim actor? Or when you see Big B, do you say that - he is not only a great actor but a Hindu? I am sure you don't. Why then is Charlie Chaplin being dubbed a Christian? Installation of his statute has run into big time trouble. Or perhaps art is no longer appreciated in some quarters? Rather it is regarded as an "insult to Indian culture. If you thought you had seen the last of these thoughts, here is more.
Times of India's front page today says: The last laugh may be on Charlie Chaplin, cinema's funny man who mocked prejudice and fascism. The Left-leaning, suspected communist sympathizer was called many names during his eventful life, but `Christian' wasn't one of them. But the new tag comes courtesy BJP activists in Baindur, near Udupi. They have blocked installation of Chaplin’s statue saying it would hurt Hindu sentiment.
I bet Charlie Chaplin would have made a movie mocking the so called Hindu protectionist forces, who do naught to help in areas of education, employment, and health but fritter their time and money on trivia, even as the BJP led state government appears to be helpless.
So we are unlikely to see this 62 feet high Charlie Chaplin statute, anytime soon, nor a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. All because poor Charlie Chaplin is not the world's best comedian but a Christian!
Imagine all the people. Living life in peace. You may say I am a dreamer. But I hope I am not the only one. I hope someday you will join us and the world will be as one. Enjoy the song.
1 comments:
He did make a few about the Nazis. I am sure as you say he would have found a lot of humour in this too. Enough to make even these guys smile!
Post a Comment