“It has caused us, the members of the Indian Film Directors Association (I.F.D.A.) much consternation and sadness that none of the exhibitors in Gujarat has yet screened ‘Parzania’ – a touching tale of a Parsi couple’s search for their son lost in the violent riots of 2002, in their cinemas, despite its peaceful release throughout India.

The act smacks of racial prejudice and bigotry perpetrated by the hidden powers that be, determined to fragment the society for their socio-political agenda. I.F.D.A. feels that the reasoning (that “the film is not commercial in nature”) cited by the exhibitors is nothing but a red herring and a mask to hide behind, to escape the tyrannical pressures brought upon them by the fascistic forces.

I.F.D.A . urged the Association of Exhibitors in Gujarat not to capitulate in the face of such pressure. Instead the Associatioin could motivate their members to facilitate the normal screening of the human story of ‘Parzania’ which upholds the values of compassion and pluralism in the society.

It has to be noted that last year Aamir Khan’s ‘Fanaa’ met with a stringent opposition from similar fascist forces in Gujarat due to his concern for the rehabilitation of poor people caught up in the Sardar Sarovar Dam tussle. Maybe it’s time for the Film Associations to battle out in real life as well to salvage freedom of expression in a free country.