Soon filmmakers will commit suicide like farmers: ‘Muzzaffarnagar’ director

Mumbai, Nov 12 (IANS) "Muzaffarnagar: The Burning Love" director Harish Kumar says his film is facing problems over its release in Muzaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh. He feels that if such cases go on, then filmmakers will also start committing suicide like farmers.

"Muzaffarnagar: The Burning Love", which is based on the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots, is slated for release on November 17.

"A farmer without rain and government support is forced to commit suicide. Exactly the same thing is happening in the film industry with filmmakers. No one had any issues during the filming or censor clearance or during the promotion," Kumar told IANS.

"But when it is time for the film to release, anti-social elements have come forward to suppress creative media. There is no other option for filmmakers but to commit suicide. I feel like doing the same," Kumar added.

Further giving example of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmavati", Kumar said that filmmakers are "soft targets and they have always been so".

He said: "Filmmakers are the only ones who are courageous enough to show real adverse effects of communal riots... It is art and one needs to see it that way.

"Censor board saw the film and if there was anything wrong they would have stopped the release, but who are these people who are trying to stop the film? If that is the case, why do we even have the censor board? Is it for namesake?"

Talking about problems with the release in Muzzaffarnagar, Kumar said: "There are rumours that people are trying to 'ban' the film. If it is released there, then there will be problems. Earlier we sent poster and standees but theatre owners are hesitant, though no one has openly admitted to having issues. But I am told they are being forced not to show my film."