Bollywood stars ‘test’ positive

Years ago, in Pyar Mein Kabhi Kabhi , a film that was known more for its songs than for its content, a friend of the protagonist is detected HIV positive. A fleeting look at AIDS is all that Bollywood could do then. Mahesh Manjrekar’s Nidaan and Rituparno Ghosh’s Ashukh , analysing the same subject, drew critical acclaim but fell short of luring the mainstream audience.

On the contrary, Revathy’s Phir Milenge , the first full-fledged Indian commercial film centred on AIDS, sends a positive note. The film may not be on top of the box office charts, but has managed to create a stir.
And in the making is My Brother Nikhil , again centring on AIDS.
The veil seems to have lifted, finally.
“I didn’t want to make a medical docu-drama on AIDS.A film has to reach a larger section of the audience. Which is why we made a contemporary film, looking at how relationships can build and break because of the social stigma associated with HIV positive people,” explains filmmaker Revathy, who was lauded by the UN for her efforts.
At one point, films made on dreaded diseases were rare. Medical ailments were confined to the staid portrayal of heart attacks, amnesia and leukaemia, conveniently introduced to bring about twists and turns in the plot. Top of the line actors attempting a Philadelphia, Indian Summer, Absolutely Positive or an Amazing Grace was out of the question. In fact, Salman Khan stepped into Phir Milenge after a host of other actors had thumbed it down. Now, mainstream actors are game to try out roles once considered taboo. Sanjay Suri plays an AIDS victim in My Brother Nikhil . Says Victor Banerjee, who plays Suri’s father, “The story is told from the sister’s (Juhi Chawla’s) point of view. It talks about how a close-knit family disintegrates after the tragedy. Ultimately, films need to point out that HIV victims don’t need sympathy. What they need is social acceptance.” In the months to come, filmmaker Priyadarshan has also planned to make a movie on AIDS, after attending a UN workshop.
But the box office is yet to warm up to the concept. As trade analyst Komal Nahata puts it, “People are not yet ready to look at films as tools of learning. Entertainment still rules. They are still apprehensive of social issues.”

Years ago, in Pyar Mein Kabhi Kabhi , a film that was known more for its songs than for its content, a friend of the protagonist is detected HIV positive. A fleeting look at AIDS is all that Bollywood could do then. Mahesh Manjrekar’s Nidaan and Rituparno Ghosh’s Ashukh , analysing the same subject, drew critical acclaim but fell short of luring the mainstream audience.

On the contrary, Revathy’s Phir Milenge , the first full-fledged Indian commercial film centred on AIDS, sends a positive note. The film may not be on top of the box office charts, but has managed to create a stir.

And in the making is My Brother Nikhil , again centring on AIDS.

The veil seems to have lifted, finally.

“I didn’t want to make a medical docu-drama on AIDS.A film has to reach a larger section of the audience. Which is why we made a contemporary film, looking at how relationships can build and break because of the social stigma associated with HIV positive people,” explains filmmaker Revathy, who was lauded by the UN for her efforts.

At one point, films made on dreaded diseases were rare. Medical ailments were confined to the staid portrayal of heart attacks, amnesia and leukaemia, conveniently introduced to bring about twists and turns in the plot. Top of the line actors attempting a Philadelphia, Indian Summer, Absolutely Positive or an Amazing Grace was out of the question. In fact, Salman Khan stepped into Phir Milenge after a host of other actors had thumbed it down. Now, mainstream actors are game to try out roles once considered taboo. Sanjay Suri plays an AIDS victim in My Brother Nikhil . Says Victor Banerjee, who plays Suri’s father, “The story is told from the sister’s (Juhi Chawla’s) point of view. It talks about how a close-knit family disintegrates after the tragedy. Ultimately, films need to point out that HIV victims don’t need sympathy. What they need is social acceptance.” In the months to come, filmmaker Priyadarshan has also planned to make a movie on AIDS, after attending a UN workshop.

But the box office is yet to warm up to the concept. As trade analyst Komal Nahata puts it, “People are not yet ready to look at films as tools of learning. Entertainment still rules. They are still apprehensive of social issues.”

Credits: Times of India

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