‘KASHMIR FILES’ SUCCESS LEADS TO PEOPLE RECOMMENDING ‘PARZANIA’, A FILM ON GUJARAT RIOTS

Sat 19 March 2022

The Kashmir Files has proven to be one of the most successful recent projects. The film, directed by Vivek Agnihotri, has been breaking box office records and continues to do so with each passing day.

Interestingly, the massive success of The Kashmir Files has led some people to recommend another political thriller Parzania that was released in 2007. 

One user tweeted, “1.PARZANIA: Inspired by a true story, a Parsi couple attempt to find their son who tragically went missing in Gujarat Riots. 2.FIRAAQ: People who were victims and silent observers during the chaos, find themselves deeply affected in a way that changes their lives forever.”

Rahul Dholakia’s Parzania is based on a true story of Azhar Mody whose 13-year-old son went missing during the 2002 Gujarat riots. Cinema owners in Gujarat refused to screen the film despite clearance from the censor board.

New York Times had reported that the multiplex owners’ association had said that they would only screen the film after they received ‘blessings’ from the head of Bajrang Dal.

Journalist Rana Ayyub tweeted, “Gujarat theatre owners ban the screening of the film, Parzania made on the 2002 genocide after right wing fundamentalists attacked cinema halls. Govt of Gujarat led by Shri Shri Modi looked the other way.”

A social media user shared, “I don’t want Kashmir Files to be banned, anywhere. But, Why was Parzania banned in Gujarat? Are narratives of some kinds of violence against some minority communities more acceptable than narratives about other kinds of violence against other minority communities?”

Another user opined, “Why was @rahuldholakia Parzania, banned in Gujarat? And what did happen to Muslims in Gujarat, 2002? Back then ,PM who in riddles asked a CM to follow a path.”

A tweet read, “One got Tax freed and other got Banned. Because other one didn’t serve their propaganda!!”