“Mujhko.... pehechan lo.... main hoon don.....”
Over the years Bollywood has had the craze of coming up with films depicting the character ‘DON’. Stories of few have been fictitious, while few others have very closely presented the actual life of gangsters like Dawood Ibrahim and other wanted mafias. Such films have either focused their love life or their notorious activities or both. Girls dancing, liquor flowing, cigarettes lighted, browbeat song and the don donning black shades with his charismatic personality impressing his close ones and intimidating his ‘dushmans’ is what is shown in these movies.
But the bottom line is that, the gangsters on whom these are based are criminals involved in numerous murders, kidnappings, smuggling and even terrorist activities. They have blood of many innocents on their hands. Showing their lives in movies in such light implicitly glorifies the daredevilry of such ‘much wanted’ criminals. Stressing on dialogues like ‘don ko pakarna mushkil hi nahin namumkin hain’ are satire on the whole country and its security forces. Although India has failed in getting hold of such underworld dons, quipping on India’s inability shouldn’t be entertained on the big screen. Showcasing them as heroes promotes the growing culture that good is bad and bad is good. Powerful characters shown can often make one desire for such status. But one should remind himself of the antisocial activities which these sociopaths use their power for.
Any filmmaker has the complete right of expression through his/her film. But they should once spare a thought for the victims and their families whose lives have been unsettled by activities of men depicted in their ‘don’ movies. These gangsters who are well settled outside India enjoy immunity from arrest due to various reasons. Getting to know about such films further mocks the image of India in their minds.
There are numerous inspirational stories and lives which can be portrayed in films. India has seen many heroes in various fields. Many of them are unsung and forgotten. Sharing their life in form of a biopic does justice to their good work. Recently the film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag based on Milkha Singh’s life was one of them. A good cast and a good filmmaking team can make a hit movie from such inspirational stories and simultaneously provide a much needed message to the society.
Please Bollywood don't shoot DON movies.
