MSG – Buy a ticket or not?

I learnt about the film ‘MSG – Messenger of God’ only after it was recently banned and my colleague mentioned this to me. J  This twitched my interest in understanding what was so objectionable in the film and why is it banned.

The film seems to be about a self-styled godmen (like many others in our country), in his 40’s or so. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh heads a Dera and seemingly has lakhs of followers. This fundoo Baba, is active on twitter, performs magic, holds concert where he sings. And now we have a film, produced and directed by him, starring  Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh as MSG (Messenger For God).

Ironically, I learn that he is under scanner for sexually exploiting female devotees and for castration of his followers. Nothing exceptional when we hear of the term godmen in this country. What more is that he runs a ‘Cleanliness Earth Campaign’ .Please do not relate this to the Clean India or Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, he won’t encourage this! J (refer his website/twitter account for more details)

About his movie, it is said to deal with youth-related issues like drug abuse, alcohol addiction, etc. With seven songs in the movie, he does everything, sing, dance, fight, (perhaps flirt as well), etc. But does that mean the film should banned? Absolutely no.

Firstly, I learn that it is banned for being a self-promotional ad film. So what? Don’t we have high profile cricketers and actors in advertisements from fairness creams to inner wears and shoes to condoms? Secondly, point to be argued is about the (practically) impossible stunts that MSG performs in the movie. But, lets avoid discussing on this point when we have (super)heroes like Salman for Dabbang, Shahrukh for Ra One, Hrithik for Krishh 3, to name a few. What is wrong if this man performs some stunts with special effects? Thirdly, some might put across a point that this movie has objectionable content. Just to learn, definition of objectionable content according to Wikipedia: “According to the Information Technology Rules 2011, objectionable content includes anything that “threatens the unity, integrity, defence, security or sovereignty of India, friendly relations with foreign states or public order." This movie doesn’t seem to violate any of the above points, when why the ban?

Is censor board really necessary? The journey and decisions of the censor board so far are not really justifiable or acceptable. (Nearly) blue films being released – reason, to give the new generation actors/actresses a chance and platform. Many pro-religious movies released – reason, to pass encouraging, life changing message to the youth. So, how is MSG to blame? Is it because of the funny acts that the movie seems to have. But, lets be assured that he cannot compete with our ‘Akhiyon Se Goli Maare’ and ‘dost baat maar sakte ha, magar kabhi laat nahi maar sakte’ wala Govinda.  The basic question remains, why to ban MSG? If you want to see it, go buy a ticket. Those who don’t want to see it, need not. Plain and Simple!