A Mumbai man named Saiyad Arifali Mahemmodali has filed a police complaint against the producer and director of 72 Hoorain, an upcoming Indian film that revolves around the alleged promise of 72 virgins to men who die for their religion. Mahemmodali has accused the filmmakers of “insulting and disrespecting his religion, promoting communal disharmony, discrimination, hatred and maligning the image of the Muslim community amongst public.”
The film, directed by Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan and co-produced by Ashoke Pandit, is scheduled for a theatrical release on July 7, 2023. It will also be released in English and 10 other Indian languages – Assamese, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Kannada, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu.
The film has been surrounded by controversies ever since its trailer was officially shared by the makers. Several Kashmir-based political parties have raised objections to the film’s portrayal of terrorist brainwashing and have argued that the film’s narrative could perpetuate negative stereotypes and distort the intricate dynamics of the religion. The makers had also claimed that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) did not give a green signal to the trailer of the film and had asked them to remove certain words and scenes from it, which were otherwise allowed in the entire film which has been readied for a theatrical release. However, the CBFC refuted such misleading reports and clarified that it “is under due process.”
Background
The film is based on the Quranic concept of Hoor, which refers to the companions of righteous people in Paradise. According to some interpretations, these companions are beautiful women who are created for the pleasure of men who die as martyrs in the cause of God. The number 72 is derived from a hadith (a report of the words or actions of Prophet Muhammad) that states that each martyr will have 72 wives in Paradise.
The film explores the role of brainwashing in the context of religious terrorism, particularly the titular promise of “72 virgins in heaven” for believers committing suicide attacks in the name of Jihad. It portrays how terror outfits convince innocent Muslim youth to attack non-Muslims by luring them with the assurance of Jannat (Paradise) and heavenly virgins (untouched women) in the afterlife. It also depicts the “consequences of violent extremism.”
The film has been praised by some critics and audiences for its bold and realistic depiction of a sensitive issue. It has also won several awards and accolades, including the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal Special Mention at the 2019 International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and the National Film Award for Best Direction for Chauhan in 2021.
Analysis
The film has sparked a debate on the freedom of expression and artistic creativity versus the respect for religious sentiments and communal harmony. While some have defended the film as a creative work that exposes the dark side of terrorism and challenges the distorted interpretation of Islam, others have condemned it as a propaganda piece that insults Islam and maligns the image of Muslims.
The film also raises questions on the role and responsibility of filmmakers and censor boards in dealing with controversial topics that may offend or hurt certain sections of society. How far can filmmakers go in depicting their artistic vision without compromising on social responsibility? How much can censor boards intervene in regulating or modifying such content without violating artistic freedom? How can both parties balance artistic expression and social sensitivity?
These are some of the questions that need to be addressed in order to ensure that films like 72 Hoorain do not become sources of conflict or violence, but rather catalysts for dialogue and understanding.
Conclusion
72 Hoorain is a film that has generated a lot of controversy and criticism for its portrayal of religious terrorism and its alleged promise of 72 virgins in heaven. A Mumbai man has filed a police complaint against the makers of the film for insulting Islam and maligning the Muslim community. The film has also faced opposition from some Kashmir-based political parties and censor board issues.
However, the film has also received praise and recognition for its bold and realistic depiction of a sensitive issue and its challenge to the distorted interpretation of Islam. The film raises questions on the freedom of expression and artistic creativity versus the respect for religious sentiments and communal harmony, and the role and responsibility of filmmakers and censor boards in dealing with controversial topics.
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