For Mumbai, a Film on Shivajigiri
by Sudheendra Kulkarni
In the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections, the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance suffered a 0-6 rout in Mumbai, which was for long deemed a stronghold of the Shiv Sena. The Congress-NCP combine, which has for the past ten years run the worst government in Maharashtra’s history, should thank only one person for its spectacular success: Raj Thackeray. His Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS), established only three years ago as a breakaway from the Shiv Sena, managed to snatch away a huge chunk of votes of the Marathi-speaking people. “I am simply stunned by the massive support that Raj has gained in the Marathi-speaking community,” said Kirit Somaiya, my party colleague in Mumbai, a Maharashtrian of Gujarati origin, who too was defeated despite his popularity as a crusader for many a worthy cause. “We in the BJP must study this phenomenon in-depth and objectively before we can chalk out a future strategy. There are deep-rooted social, economic and cultural factors that have made even staunch BJP-Shiv Sena supporters get attracted by Raj’s message.”
As a half-Kannadiga and half-Marathi who, after spending the longest period of his life in Mumbai, is now working out of Delhi, I have observed Raj Thackeray’s rise with both trepidation and curiosity. Trepidation, because I detest and reject his campaign against outsiders, North Indians in particular, believing that Mumbai belongs to all, just as India belongs to all. Curiosity, because I want to know why he is able to strike a sympathetic chord in Marathi Manoos (Marathi-speaking person) of all classes-from common job-seeking youth living in Mumbai’s sprawling slums to highly qualified professionals in business and finance. Marathi Manoos is as nationalistic as any you can find in India. Yet, today he is nursing a sense of hurt and injustice at being marginalised in Mumbai, which is making him assert his regional and linguistic identity.
My curiosity was whetted by the posters I saw last week of a new Marathi film, provocatively titled as Mee Shivaji Raje Bhosale Boltoy—Himmat Asel Tar Adawa’ (I am Shivaji Raje Bhosale speaking—Stop me if you have the guts). A friend told me that the film, by far the most important political movie in Maharashtra’s 50-year-old history, made a major contribution to Raj Thackeray’s electoral strength in the Lok Sabha polls. As I came out of the movie hall after a three-hour riveting cinematic experience, it wasn’t difficult to see why. And if Raj Thackeray re-orients his politics according to the film’s positive and progressive message, it is also not difficult to see him soon emerge as the leader Maharashtra is waiting for.
The film has two heroes. One of them, Dinakarrao Bhosale, is an ordinary middle-class Marathi Manoos, whose job as a bank clerk condemns him to a life of relative deprivation and humiliation, both economic and cultural. His son, despite securing more than 90 per cent marks, cannot get admission in an engineering college because he cannot pay hefty donation that wealthy non-Marathi business families can for their non-meritorious children. His talented daughter cannot realise her dream of becoming a Bollywood actress because her name (Chandrakala Bhosale) is considered too “downmarket” by a director, who, it later transpires, has changed his own name from ‘Gaikwad’ to ‘Gidwani’ in order to gain a foothold in the film industry. Bhosale lives in an old part of Mumbai in a decrepit hundred-year-old chawl, which he owns, but a rich Gujarati builder has his eye on the property. The builder, well-connected with the city’s corrupt political class and the underworld, has plans to construct two spanking skyscrapers in its place, and offers to give Bhosale a lumpsum amount and a small apartment in a far-off suburb. Much of old Mumbai has seen such migration of middle-class and poor Marathi families, and the new commercial and residential towers that have changed the landscape of the erstwhile working-class areas of Lower Parel, Parel, Lalbaug and Worli have a distinctly non-Marathi character. Bhosale’s character typifies the angst of the Marathi-speaking population of Mumbai, which feels that it is being squeezed out of the city, both at the top and the bottom. More hurtful than economic marginalisation is the Marathi people’s realisation that the “outsiders” coming into the city look down upon Marathi language and ethos. In a moving scene in the film, Bhosale bemoans the current helplessness of Marathi people, in spite of being inheritors of the proud legacy of a galaxy of great men and women such as Raja Shivaji, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, Lokamanya Tilak, Jyotiba and Savitri Phule and many poet-saints.
The other hero, indeed super-hero, of the film is Emperor Shivaji, played superbly by filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar, whose cousin Santosh Manjrekar has directed it. He appears in the narrative in the same surreal but didactic way that Mahatma Gandhi does in Lage Raho Munnabhai. Just as the Mahatma teaches Munnabhai ‘Gandhigiri’, Shivaji, who shares the surname Bhosale with the film’s protagonist, teaches him ‘Shivajigiri’ - “Don’t blame outsiders for your problems. Rather, develop a positive attitude and excel in all that they are good at. Be proud of your name, your language, your history and your ethos. Do not berate others, but never let others berate you. Shed fear and be brave and determined to fight for your principles and ideals, even at the risk of your life.”
In the end King Shivaji Bhosale transforms Commoner Dinakar Bhosale (a brilliant performance by Sachin Khedekar) and turns this self-pitying Marathi Manoos into a fearless crusader for justice and dignity. The best part of the film-and this is where Raj Thackeray can learn a lesson or two to emerge as a reformed and more widely respected leader-is that Shivaji’s message is inclusive and not exclusive. It is not “anti-outsider”; rather, it exhorts that all the people living in Maharashtra, belonging to all caste, religious and linguistic backgrounds, should be treated justly and equally. The flip-side is also true: all of them, especially non-Marathi people, should be proud of being Maharashtrians. Thus, Shivaji, the great fighter for India’s national liberation that he was, re-appears in the modern era as a messenger of unity transcending the diversity of Mumbai and Maharashtra. Frankly, as Shivaji stood atop his imposing fort in the last scene of the film, surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Western Ghat, I bowed my head before this great warrior in redoubled gratitude and admiration.
(This article was first published in the Indian Express on May 31, 2009.)
Comments
13 Responses to “For Mumbai, a Film on Shivajigiri”
This is has become a bullshit website , no action just columns , I think real BJP supporters should not visit this site anymore..we should plan a real Friends of BJP …this guys are hell bent on destroying it…
Well, this article was more of a review of Marathi film than anything else.
Anyways, let me explain MNS phenomenon with a small anecdote, I doubt whether BJP can learn lessons from it -
(published in a newspaper, so not sure about the authhenticity)
There were two twenty-something girls (probably first time voters) voting in a BJP stronghold constituency. They were unable to find their names in the voters list. So they go to BJP booth and ask for the help. The BJP karyakartas help them find out their name. Then one of the girls says to them - “We are not going to vote for you, we are going to vote for MNS”. Visibly piqued BJP karyakarta then asks “Then why did you come here for the help”. The same girl replies “Because we know BJPs voters lists are most up-to-date.”
I leave it to eminent leaders of BJP to read the message in this anecdote.
Mr. Kulkarni,
Very respectfully -
1. The MNS factor and the fact that it was going to split BJP-SS vote was well known to every one - including a child. dont tell me that BJP top brass didnt read the clear writing on the wall. If they felt that the impact was not going to be as huge as it turned out - i think then BJP acted complecant - in a lok sabha battle where every seat would count - one should think of addressing even a small effect.
Why didnt the BJP then pacify SS to go with MNS or pacify MNS not to field its candidate?
2. you cannot presume that MNS ate BJP-SS vote only. it could well have eaten up NCP-Cong vote also abd but for MNS they would have emerged more victorious.
3. The candidates put up by BJP-SS were announced last minute (incl Kirit Somiya, Ram Naik, Mahesh Jethmalani) which would have affected BJP.
The reason for the above angiush is total disappointment of BJP performance in an Urban city like Mumbai & Delhi which was once a stronghold for BJP.
Introspection doesnt mean laying blame on other but seeing what’s wrong within.
Maulik
@Maulik,
There is enough seeing within and outside. However, we the majority of intellectuals think that education system which has been grossly misused in cities like Mumbai and Delhi and other urban areas has primarily been the reason for congress’s false victory.
What has congress done to these cities? No Its the educated people like you who dont want to read columns about price rise, ghastly attacks on several cities and the fast eroding value systems - not to mention the deeply rooted virus of corruption thats being well groomed by the congressians. I pray GOD to create some space for you guys to think of the ever degrading socio economic culture of our nation.
Continue to vote for congress. But remember,one cant get what he/she cant measure and its always better to incremental analysis and cast the votes.
I still believe there is a gross malpractice done during counting or the machines are tampered. Else chidambaram wont have won by miracle. We will continue to watch every wrong doing of the thief party and ensure justice is brought to voters who want a long deserved change in the system of parliamentary democracy. BJP wont project a PM candidate ever ever in its life time, if he/she cant dare to face the electorate and does not wish to respect the values of biggest democracy.
Jai Hind.
As the first commentor noted, we can do without such articles. What does this have to do with FoBJP?
Mr. Murugan,
This website is spreading awareness. so kindly think 10 times before calling it a bullshit website or anything.
@mr Ajay
This article explains why MNS’s sudden rise has been so smooth. It gives the insights about the biggest mystery during the Lok Sabha Elections.
Mr. Kulkarni, I believe, has delivered a stunner. Anybody, who understand Maharashtra, will know what he is talking about.
BJP can learn loads from the article. Hope Mr. Gadkari and Mr. Munde are reading this.
Seriously one of the primary reasons that BJP looks incoherent and utterly confused is that likes of Sudheendra have gatecrashed to emerge as some kind of intellectual fountainhead for BJP.With due respects to Kulkarnji and undoubted scholarship he has been unable to come of the shackles of his profound and pernicious communist influence of his foramtive years .I would suspect that he could have been the force behind Advaniji’s ill advised attempt to repackage himself as a moderate.Many of us admired Advaniji for taking on the despicable Nehruvian establishment and deterimental strangehold it had on the all spheres of Indian life.Metamorphosis that Advani attempted went against the raison detre of BJP
frankly i couldn’t figure out what message and to whom kulkarniji was writing. was he tutoring something to raj, maratha manoos or non-marathis living in mumbai,FOB community or indians in general.
things he told are so well known ,oft repeated and trivial that none of the targeted audience need to hear anything in the article from him save those interested in that movie.
moreover he failed to tell or didn’t tell the most obvious truth. the rise of regional appeal of raj is because of “hindutva” appeal for which BJP might be responsible. Only reason india is one country is because of Hindu philosophy and culture. as this hindutva appeal gets diluted india will see more of raj,vaiko etc. we will have marathi manoos , elaami tamil, swhadhin begalees, independent assamese etc etc replacing the proud hindu. and fault for this lies with anyone who has diluted the Hindutva cause for political gains.
People who believe that bjp doesnt need any introspection are wrong. Some people have chosen comfort over hard work, instrospection is no easy job. It should be done by surpassing ego, some bjp supporters are still ignorant to facts.
Sudheendraji, you are doing a great job and we, the bjp-ians should stand by him.
There are many people who’ll oppose you but if they do then BJP will have to work hard to get my vote next time. I might as well break the family tradition of voting for jan sangh and now bjp.
BJP’s ideology is made of the finest materials but the perception amongst supporters of this ideology is different. They think bjp is anti muslim or minority! So, they spread a wrong message amongst the masses with little or no brains.
A fantastic article. An excellent analysis of the SS BJP’s defeat in mumbai. Its sad to see some of the above posts using unparliamentary language. I think BJP supporters are cultured people and they always use a dignified language. I strongly condemn some of the above posts that have used words like “bulls^&i etc”.
With due respect to Mr. Kulkarni. From his review of film I could make out just one thing which perhaps applies to every irrespective of who they are and from where they are from and that is self-belief. However, useless display of jingoism and show false pride as has been done by Raj Thackrey is obviously and patently detrimental to unified India. It would sad day when like of Raj Thackrey rise to political stardom just by fanning regionalism. I think Marathi Manoos has as much pride as a anybody else and there isn’t anything he/she has been deprived of.
I don’t look down upon a marathi neither do I feel that they are anyway lesser than anybody else. I think they have enough competitive edge to excel in every field even without the support from the ilks of Raj Thackrey. Why should a competitive self-respecting marathi promote political future of a god-knows-how-he-has-become-rich politician like raj thackrey??
Dear Readers,
Which city high level of tolerance for politicians from other state?>>>MUMBAI
Facts: Only 1 Mumbai in India.
1) Major Industrial/Modernisation/Film Industry/Financial Market in which City?>> MUMBAI
2) Major Influx for the same purpose from elsewhere in Which city?>>>>MUMBAI.
3) People got Money by selling lands outside Mahareashtra and migraged with plans to which City?>>>MUMBAI
4) Which City gained MOST attention by Media, people, reason of attraction>>> MUMBAI
5) Which city had local people who had welcome approach for fellow indians irrespective of caste, language, religion?>>>> MUMBAI
6) Which city had all the attractions/opportunities and the Local language was easy to read by Hindi speaking community?>>>> MUMBAI
7) Which city had high level of Corruption by govt Babus?? >>> MUMBAI
9) Which city had local people who were middle class and contended with their hard earned bread and butter>>>> MUMBAI
10) Which city saw major bribing, land acquisitions, and then regionalisaiton by few sectors like Gujarati community who kept flats reserved for gujurati community!! calling them selves as minors and by giving huge donations to colleges secured over 50% quota in admission processes?>>>MUMBAI
11) Which city saw Heavy influx of cheap labourers who lived below decent base lines and caused havoc in the city on the name of cheap labour but had no option since they had to feed their family? but at the expense of some one else’s family?>>> MUMBAI
12) Which City was a major refelction of Mahrashtra and also India??>>> MUMBAI
***
Factors:
1) Was there a different city of the locals to find daily bread and butter? and crunch their livelihood just to adjust this challenges? Cant say NO but certainly difficult…
2) Locals cannot sell their land line do the same what other migrants did when they came to Mumbai, since there was no 2nd Mumbai….
3) Locals felt like aliens when they were given replies like we dont want marathi people in this building, etc. We want only fluent english speaking people in Banks etc….when the fact was they themselves dint knew the meaning of fluency(e.g: few people from South created huge lobby….in banks, schools, colleges…..and created a huge circle of their own people…..)
4) North Indians also did the favoursim act and Bribing act….(who can stop people from taking and giving bribes? irrespective of the linguistic origin)
5) Crimes created started having major presence from North Indian (some dirty minds from UP/Bihar started thefts, robbery, murders, rapes….major targets were older people for robbery…and other poor people for other crimes…)
6) Local Marthi politicians just used BIG speeches and meetings to speak in favor of locals but the fact was they were just bothered about the elections primarily BMC (Birhanmumbai Mahanagar Palika) which is Mumbai municipality….for what? BIG Money !!
7) Slowly bigger sectors also started having top, middle and junior management full of non-marathi staff….if you observe the trend most of the corporates started having thier own linguistic preferences and people around them, Marathi people were considered as Aliens!!
If the same act was done by Marathi commnuity their was Big Shout!! good but why for? Also Marathi community failed to VOICE against injustice and kept on bearing and only spekaing within themselves but did not take the legal route….
*** The list will continue….but just wanted to share my feelings based on real life observations…..