The Nationalism of the Movie screen..

A couple of days back, I went to see a movie at E-square. The minute I entered the hall, I saw people rushing to get up and stand up. That's when I saw it - the Indian Tricolour emblazoned on the movie screen and the national anthem playing on the Dolby surround sound.

Made me feel quite dizzy. It made me feel as if I was in an Orwellian world suddenly.

Now what do I have against this show of nationalism, you might ask.

Well. First of all, its phony nationalism. Even if I dont completely agree with the notion that nationalism is the last refuge of the scoundrel, this sort of in-your-face show of patriotism makes a mockery of the feelings of the true believer/patriot. Just playing an anthem and showing a flag on the screen is supposed to do what? Make me donate to the prime minister's relief fund?

Secondly, why the movie theatre? When I come to a movie theatre, I have a movie in my mind no matter how patriotic I felt in the morning. Imagine a scenario of us lining up and saluting the flag and then settling down to salivate at Sharon Stone's legs. It can get completely incongruous to the point of ludicrous. Maybe they choose the movie theatre because the people have no choice but to look at the screen. If so, its the nationalist's crassest way of getting attention.

Thirdly, its makes a complete mockery of the feelings of nationalism that people have. If you believe in the principles of nationalism and patriotism, you would like to have the anthem and the flag being used sparingly, used on occasions that really give respect to the nation and its people. Since when has the occasion of the nation paying respect to fallen soldiers become the same as going out to watch a late night movie? When would we respect the symbols of the nation more?

This was a common practice some 30 years back when it was discontinued in the country when it dawned upon the powers that be that the whole exercise is having the opposite of the intended effect

So, I am completely befuddled at the whole idea and amazed at the stupidity, the vulgarity and the short-sightedness of the person (ie the political party) which could pass an order like this.

If I am feeling patriotic, I would hang a flag from my roof. If I am patriotic, I would not approve of the commercialisation of my values.

And for god's sake, let me enjoy the movie...

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