BJP Invokes Indira Gandhi-Kishore Kumar Rift In Allu Arjun Case. Here's The Tale Of Two Legends
The film industry and Indian politics have been intertwined throughout the decades with celebrities bearing the brunt of anti-government remarks or reaping rewards for "toeing the line".
The entertainment industry has always had a love-hate relationship with politics with various actors getting different treatments from the parties in power. In 2015, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath compared his remark on "intolerance" in India by comparing him with terrorist Hafiz Sayeed. In 2017, the BJP boycotted an award ceremony to honour actor Prakash Raj. Earlier this year, the saffron party sought a ban on all films and ads of actor Shivakumar, whose wife was contesting the polls.
— Gems of Bollywood Fan (@FilmyKhichdii) December 14, 2022
When the controversy 'Annapoorani' controversy broke out in January this year, BJP leader T Raja Singh lashed out at Nayanthara and sought a ban on the movie's makers. Eventually, the starlet had to apologise with a "Jai Shree Ram" note.
When Congress Banned Actors And Singers
However, it is not that such confrontations between entertainers and the ruling party have come up after the change of government in 2014. Such battles played out even during the Congress governments of Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi as well.
During the Winter Session of Parliament, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman pointed out that lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri and actor Balraj Sahni were jailed in 1949 for speaking up against the Jawaharlal Nehru government.
Majrooh Sultanpuri and Balraj Sahni were both jailed in 1949. During one of the meetings organised for the mill workers in 1949, Majrooh Sultanpuri recited a poem that was written against Jawaharlal Nehru and therefore he had to go to jail. He refused to tender an apology for the… pic.twitter.com/xRYHnHZIP7
— Nirmala Sitharaman Office (@nsitharamanoffc) December 16, 2024
Apart from these two stalwarts of their time, the Congress government of Indira Gandhi censored India's legendary singer and actor Kishore Kumar at one time for rebuffing the Congress's requests for endorsements. Actor-director Manoj Kumar, too, paid the price of turning down a "request" to direct a pro-Emergency film as his film 'Dus Numbri' was released on Doordarshan way before its planned release in theatres. As a result, it bombed at the Box Office. He eventually went to court and won the case against the government.
The fight between the BJP and the Congress has again turned towards the entertainment industry. Allu Arjun's arrest and subsequent release on bail have prompted the BJP to target the Revanth Reddy government in Telangana. The BJP has now again raked up the instance of Indira Gandhi censoring Kishore Kumar.
On Tuesday, the BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said: "Revanth Reddy is orchestrating state-sponsored violence and attack on Allu Arjun. He is completely rattled because a neutral star, who believes in free speech, is loved by the people of Telangana and has not toed the line of the Congress Party; he is not working as per the whims and the fancies of the Congress Party."
#WATCH | Delhi: On vandalisation at the residence of actor Allu Arjun in Jubilee Hills, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari says "Revanth Reddy is orchestrating a state-sponsored violence and state-sponsored attack on Allu Arjun. He is completely rattled because a neutral star who… pic.twitter.com/yUXSq1njV0
— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2024
"This is the Emergency mindset of the Congress, which is common in Jawaharlal Nehru who banned and jailed Madru Sultanpuri. Indira Gandhi stopped the songs of Kishore Kumar and now Revanth Reddy is ensuring that his goons attack Allu Arjun. Congress Party does not believe in free speech," he had.
What Happened Between Kishore Kumar And Indira Gandhi?
Kishore Kumar was not renowned only for his melodious voice but also for his compelling stories. One such tale of courage dates back to when he refused to sing for the Youth Congress and turned down a "request" to promote Sanjay Gandhi's advertisment for the Indira Gandhi government's economic policy.
When Kishore Said 'No' To Indira Gandhi
During the Emergency in 1975, Indira Gandhi launched a 20-point programme to promote her policies. Vidya Charan Shukla was the Information and Broadcasting Minister back then. Shukla, who had good relations with many in the film industry, understood the power of cinema and music. He wanted to use songs to glorify Indira Gandhi and her 20-point economic agenda. To this end, ministry officials were sent to Mumbai to convince Kishore Kumar to sing for the campaign.
When the officials approached Kishore Kumar and explained the kind of song they wanted him to perform, he flatly refused and reportedly used strong language to dismiss them. This was not the first time Kishore had declined to work for the Congress party. Earlier, he had refused to perform at a Youth Congress event in Bombay (now Mumbai).
Kishore Kumar’s Songs Banned
Kishore Kumar’s defiance angered officials at the Information and Broadcasting Ministry back in Delhi. In retaliation, the ministry issued a diktat banning all of Kishore Kumar’s songs from being broadcast on All India Radio and Doordarshan.
The impact of the ban was felt on the most popular radio programme at that time — Binaca Geetmala. Kishore Kumar was the most-played singer in the programme in 1974, the year before the Emergency (1975-1977), as well as in 1959 and 1971. His 'Mera jeewan kora kaagaz' was the biggest hit that year.
However, in 1975 Kishor Kumar's voice was silenced on radio. In addition to this, the sale of gramophone records featuring his songs was prohibited.
Officials believed this ban would intimidate the film industry and silence dissent. To some extent, they succeeded, as many artistes of the time reportedly toed out of fear. However, a few individuals like Kishore Kumar stood firm in their opposition to the government.
Other stalwarts of the film industry, such as Dev Anand, Vijay Anand, Raj Kumar, V Shantaram, Uttam Kumar, and Satyajit Ray, also refused to bow. Satyajit Ray, for instance, declined a proposal to direct a film on Jawaharlal Nehru. This was an era devoid of social media, with limited means for artistes (and the government) to reach out to the public. Despite these challenges, a handful of artistes, led by Kishore Kumar, refused to compromise with their principles.
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