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September 6, 2014
Press Release

 

The divisive agenda of RSS is now Public - Hansal Mehta 

06-09-2014, Mumbai.

Film Director Hansal Mehta in an interview has expressed serious concerns over the overt activities and statements of the RSS and allied organizations, after the recent central government's victory in the general elections of 2014. He has stated that the "Communal and divisive Agenda of the century old rightist organization RSS is now open and public." This interview is the launching video of a series of audio-visual interviews, available for viewing on the internet on the joint You Tube video channel by Communalism Combat and www.hillele.org

Hansal Mehta, the director of films Dil pe Mat le Yaar (Story of migrants) and Shahid (Minority Rights) was forthright  in his assessment of the present scenario while talking about the threat of hate-driven divisive politics to journalist, educationist and humanist, Teesta Setalvad, who conducted the first interview of the series. 

Mehta has won the National Film Award for best director for Shahid (2014). A marked shift in priorities of the government at the centre, was one reason that Shahid was unceremoniously replaced from being the inaugural film of the National Film Festival in May 2014, soon after election results, due to the crucial issues it raises. A fear of challenging the ideology of the ruling dispensation governs this mood of self-censorship, according to Hansal Mehta while emphasizing that there have been such threats before, even during moments of our own authoritarian past.

 "Even during and after emergency, it was impossible or difficult to make serious and honest films over the period of emergency or about Indira Gandhi. While it has been easier (to make critical films) in neighbouring Pakistan."  Talking about Hindi Cinema-Then and Now, Mehta assessment of the 1950s and bollywood ran thus, “"Films in 50's were more serious and sensitive towards society, raising several questions, tackling even the gender question. “After the angry man of the 1970's it was tokenism that replaced a more thematic understanding of issues."

 He also talked cheerfully about his hobby, specifically about his first venture into television with a highly popular food show. A lover of good cuisine and passionate about its creation, Hansal Mehta is today learning the nuances of Awadhi Cuisine. It was Hansal, who produced the the famous Sanjiv Kapur’s show 'Khana Khazana'. Dedicated to creating more films like Shahid , that turn the mirror of society within, Mehta spoke honestly about also creating a sex comedy with the same brutal dedication.

 This interview of Hansal Mehta is the first of the series of Interviews by Communalism Combat and www.hillele.org. The Series will further include interactions with various Actors, Film Makers, Artists, Academics, Writers-Poets, Activists, Politicians and Musicians, which would be launched on their You Tube Channel 'Hillele TV'(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3G7YYiSQ65t2AilCtw-anw). To view the recent interaction with Hansal Mehta, you may go to  http://youtu.be/1HKbUh-g5Gk directly.

 (Hillele Bureau) 


About the Initiative
 

Hillele presents Communalism Combat's video series where Journalist, Social Activist and Humanist Teesta Setalvad would be in conversation with the likes of Hansal Mehta, P Sainath, Mahesh Bhatt, Justice Sawant, Brinda Karat and many more.
 
Hillele.org began as a small blog. In a year's time we have tried bringing in opinions, videos, music and short films that may not be accessible in the mainstream media. We are grateful to Film Makers who shared their Documentaries, Writers who wrote extensively  and Musicians who shared their Music Videos without charging us anything.
 
We are proud of  Teesta Setalvad's work in the area of legal activism, education and journalism. We are delighted and honored that she has given us her consent in launching Communalism Combat's interviews on Hillele from today!  The production has been possible because of friendly small contributions. If you like what we are doing and want to contribute please let us know. This mail is only being sent to friends and foes we closely know  to avoid any future issues regarding funds.

We also want to inform you that Communalism Combat,  a magzine of national and international repute will be re-launching soon in a revived multi-media format. All queries regarding contributions to this exciting re-launch may be sent to [email protected] and [email protected]
 

More than anything else please do give us your feedback on the interviews on Hillele.org

 
 
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