FWICE issues a statement on the 'Boycott Bollywood' trend, seeks protection from theatre hooliganism

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees issued a press release regarding the growing threat against the Hindi film industry.

Shah Rukh Khan in Pathaan (Courtesy: Yash Raj Films/Twitter)

The Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE) demanded immediate protection from theatre hooliganism and threats against the producers in a statement condemning the ongoing "Boycott Bollywood" trend. FWICE says that no matter what, a boycott of all Bollywood movies as a whole would not be tolerated or accepted.

The statement read that the recent trend of "Boycott Bollywood" has been detrimental to the producers and the thousands of employees working on the movies, and the FWICE has taken note of it seriously because it has created a serious survival issue for the regular employees, technicians, and artists who depend on this industry for a living. In addition to the producer, writer, and director, a single film has thousands of crew workers. Films receive enormous investment, and millions of people rely on them for a living. Given how big the film industry is, it makes sense that filmmakers would do everything they could to make a movie that would make the most money.

FWICE also said that it's easy for people to boycott a movie, but what about the producer who put a lot of money into making it? A movie is created with passion and success in mind. But these kinds of trends, which are often started by people who support hate and are against peace, harmony, and unity, kill these hopes. Threatening the audience and forcing them to leave, people have begun breaking into theatres. The producers as well as the main actors and actresses have received threats. They are verbally insulted on social media sites in a vulgar or offensive manner.

A right-wing organization, the Hindu Jagran Manch, recently held a protest outside the Indore INOX theatre in Madhya Pradesh, asking the management not to release the film there. In protest at Pathaan's refusal to be released in theatres, the employees shouted slogans and also delivered a memo to the theatre's management.

Jagdish Khatri, who is president of the Hindu Jagran Manch, said that if the movie Pathaan came out, it would cause a lot of trouble. They delivered a memo to the Inox Theater management explaining why the movie won't be released.

In their statement, FWICE said that they strongly disagree with these actions and with the idea of boycotting any film that has been approved by the CBFC, the last branch of the film authorities. A film's certification by the CBFC represents an accomplishment in and of itself because both the film and the filmmakers must go through this process. Instead of mindlessly forming such a damaging trend as shamelessly boycotting the entire industry, the film's protesters should go about it the proper way and file complaints against the film with the CBFC and other governing bodies. People who don't go to movies because they have good reasons to do so are respected, but a boycott of all Bollywood movies is never okay or allowed. There must be a conclusion to this.

On January 4, Bajrang Dal supporters who are a part of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) made a scene outside the Alpha One Mall in Ahmedabad's Vastrapur and threatened to initiate a more violent protest if the movie was released.

FWICE has a lot of faith in the filmmakers who make movies and give jobs to thousands of people so they can live well and support themselves. The statement continued by urging the government to take action and put an end to the "Boycott Bollywood" trend.

Helmed by Siddharth Anand, Pathaan starring Shah Rukh Khan, John Abraham, and Deepika Padukone, is all set to hit theatres on January 25, 2023.

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