BOLLYWOOD HAILS RULING ON NATIONAL ANTHEM

‘Great’, ‘excellent’, say celebs about SC decision to make playing the anthem optional before film shows

The Supreme Court on Tuesday reversed its 2016 interim order on playing the National Anthem at cinemas, saying that it’s no longer mandatory to do so. The decision has been heartily welcomed by people in the entertainment industry.

“I am thrilled to hear of this ruling… More power to our egalitarian and forwardthinking Supreme Court,” says Vidya Balan. The actor had earlier told a news agency, “I don’t think the National Anthem should be played before a film show. You’re not in school where you start the day with the National Anthem. You can’t force patriotism… I don’t need to be told. When I hear the National Anthem, I stand up wherever I am.”

The November 30, 2016, ruling on mandatorily playing the anthem at all theatres before a show had led to vociferous protests. The new development is appreciated.

“Patriotism cannot be shoved down people’s throat; it comes naturally to us,” says ad guru Prahlad Kakkar. “The people are the moral keeper of the country, and these same people have formed the government, so the latter needs to trust the former. No one will resist standing up for the anthem with pride, but they won’t, if forced to [do so].”

Welcoming the new ruling, film director Shyam Benegal opines that “the judgment is excellent”. He believes, “It makes lots of sense because there’s absolutely no need to compel people to do things. They should do it voluntarily.”

Commending the Supreme Court’s new decision, actor Swara Bhaskar says, “I think we should not make patriotism and the love of one’s country such a flimsy token gesture; nor does patriotism need to be stuffed down people’s throat. Just because the National Anthem plays before a film — while we’re thinking about the flavour of our popcorn, and whether we should order nachos in the interval — it doesn’t mean we become patriotic or love our country.”

Guitarist-composer-social activist Rahul Ram recalls how the National Anthem and a show reel of news round-up was played before film shows when he was growing up. On the current ruling, he says that it’s “great” because “it’s not possible to salute every time we see our National Flag or follow the namaz ritual if one is not in the proper place”.

Singer Kailash Kher is less impressed by the new order. He says, “We’re always looking for logic behind everything. Is that at all required? Har jagey kanoon ki zaroorat nahi hain. Par hum kuch zada hi samajhdar ho gaye hain,” he says.

I am thrilled to hear of this ruling… More power to our egalitarian and forwardthinking Supreme Court VIDYA BALAN ACTOR

We’re always looking for logic behind everything. Is that at all required? Har jagey kanoon ki zaroorat nahi hain. Par hum kuch zada hi samajhdar ho gaye hain KAILASH KHER SINGER

The judgment is excellent. It makes lots of sense because there’s absolutely no need to compel people to do things. They should do it voluntarily SHYAM BENEGAL DIRECTOR

PHOTO: ARUN MONDHE / HT A file photo of people standing for the National Anthem before a film show