Filming Mumbai Carnage – To spread peace & awareness or hatred & violence?

Film industry has always cashed on the tragedies of people and disasters faced and survived by human-life. There are different views to it. Proponents say such movies are made to bring awareness among people. To let them see the bravery of those who struggled for their life and for the lives of others. These movies are made to promote healthy feelings, feelings of brotherhood, helping each other in trouble and not losing faith during times of destruction.

Opposing these explanations, the other side says such movies are made to make money by exploiting human tragedy and pain. Such movies propagate violence. The aim of such movies is to make people aggressive and instill feelings of immense hatred among common people. Such movies, for the most part play with human sentiments.

I was literally shocked when I read the news that Indian film-makers have submitted as many 20 films titles for registration to make films on the tragic Mumbai massacre that happened only last month. Names included, "Taj Terror", "Taj to Oberoi", "48 hours at Taj", "Operation Five Star Mumbai", "26/11- Mumbai under Terror", "Shootout at Oberoi" and "Operation Cyclone".

A well-known documentary film-maker Anand Patwardhan shared his opinion on the argument saying, “It always happens. People jump on tragedy. It is like ambulance chasing.” He added, “A tiny percentage of these filmmakers may be sincere. A film should be genuine and sensitive. If it tries to reduce violence and communal hatred – which is the underlying reason for such violence – then it should be made and is good for society. But chances are that it is an attempt to exploit the misery of people.”

While experts say that many titles are appeared for registration but very few will end up as released films, and that a committee will review the stories to make sure it doesn’t propagate any negative feelings, the cinema analysts believe that the unprecedented manner in which the 10 gunmen entered the city and held hostages for more than 60 hours and left 170 people dead is valuable film material.

My take on this argument is plain and simple. A movie that truly portrays the events of Mumbai carnage, the struggle of hostages to survive, the gallantry of police officers and authorities to deal with the situation and the unity of whole nation against evil is acceptable. A movie that communicates unity, bravery, survival, brotherhood, hope and most of all believe in the power of good to overcome evil is what it would be worth making.

But I am afraid, I do not think that would be the case, we have many examples of many movies made on true tragic events that only ended up spreading hatred and desire for violence among common people, that included blaming and accusing other countries for what happened without concrete evidence. I hope that those who end up making a film on Mumbai tragedy end up spreading a positive message and not just exploit the feelings of those suffered.