Hundreds View India Dam Row Film
Movie-goers
have been packing a theatre in western India to see a film kept off
screens amid protests over criticism of a dam project by its star,
Aamir Khan. The cinema, in Jamnagar, Gujarat, is guarded by armed
police for screenings of Fanaa. Other cinema owners have refused to show the film, fearing protests.
About 50 activists staged a protest at the time of the first showing and political parties opposed Fanaa's release in Gujarat over Aamir Khan's comments about the Narmada dam project.
Vimal Madam, owner of the Jamnagar cinema where the film is screening said, "People want to watch the movie. I'm here to do business, not politics." He said his screenings were sold out for three days running.
In Surat, another Gujarat town, The Cinema Hall Owners' Federation said it would make a decision on whether to screen Fanaa after meeting local police and politicians.
This week, India's Supreme Court refused to order protection for cinemas showing the film, but said cinema owners could approach local police for security.
Film-maker Mahesh Bhatt, who was not involved with Fanaa,
had filed a petition seeking police protection for cinemas, arguing
that the right to freedom of speech was being violated. According
to the Press Trust of India, following the court ruling, cinema owners
reiterated that they had no intention of showing the Bollywood hit.
The Bharatiya Janata and Congress political parties have opposed Fanaa's release in Gujarat, after Khan called on the government to adequately compensate people displaced by the Narmada dam's construction in the state.
The Save Narmada Movement says the state government has failed to provide adequate rehabilitation for the 35,000 people whose villages will be submerged when the dam is constructed.
The effect of the dam on villagers and the struggle of the displaced trying to secure their legal right to resettlement or adequate compensation has been documented by UK filmmaker Franny Armstrong in Drowned Out, now released on DVD. A 45-minute version of her film screened on PBS in the US was titled The Dammed.
Supporters of the project claim that it will supply drinking water to 40m people, irrigate land and generate electricity.
You can read more about the Narmada Dam project at SPANNER FILMS website
Or at the FRIENDS OF THE RIVER NARMADA website