NO CAUSE

THE Bollywood issue has been blown out of proportion said Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob recently. According to him, Bollywood movies weren't THE main agenda discussed during the recent Conference of Muftis.

The controversy erupted after Perak Mufti Datuk Seri Harussani Zakaria reportedly said some Bollywood movies carried excessive immoral images that could influence young minds. The press who disparaged the statement, were faulted for having played up the issue without having probed further into the muftis' views.

THERE has been a great deal of ballyhoo about Bollywood lately - all because a group of well-meaning muftis (highest religious figure) cautioned Muslims not to be too taken by things portrayed in Hindi movies.

The ripples of discontent with Bollywood surfaced during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, when the country's television stations chose to screen more Indian productions than local ones. It reached a point where the muftis felt they had to have a say in the issue.

Ironically, the same media and mainstream Malay press which voiced their grievances then, are the very ones bashing the muftis now.

When Perak mufti Datuk Seri Harussani Zakaria, spokesman for the Mufti Council, made the call to reduce airtime for Bollywood movies, he was voicing the consensus reached at the conference. By the same token, those who speak out against the muftis are merely stating their views.

Remember the furore over the large number of Chinese dramas shown over Astro not too long ago when some people felt that the high count gave a false representation of Malaysian culture? While the muftis do have a point, whatever negative influence or impact that Bollywood has on the morals of Muslims has yet to be verified. And we cannot totally dismiss the effects of Hollywood or Hong Kong movies nor that of certain western songs.

Over the past few months, children - and adults - who were clueless as to the meaning of the latter part of the word Californication, the title of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' blistering hit, have been singing the song and buying the album.

Radio deejays and television veejays were not too bothered about explaining the meaning either. Anyway, how can you possibly explain on air that ``fornication'' is just another version of the ``f'' word. The song had, after all, been approved for general broadcast by the Censorship Board.

Red Hot Chili Peppers are not alone in having caught the attention of the impressionable young. Performers such as Eminem and Limp Bizkit are among the outrageous acts of the moment who curse, swear and state various acts of depravity in their songs.

Even Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad has voiced concern over the shocking lyrics of some songs.

Muslims and other concerned Malaysians should form their own conclusions about what is ``right'' or ``wrong'' by first weighing the arguments equally.

No one has to concur with the muftis' view - everyone has a right to their opinion. But when Bollywood becomes an issue which receives daily coverage in the papers, the whole thing becomes ludicrous.

Despite the uproar following his initial statement, Harussani stuck to his guns and recommended that Bollywood movies be shown only once a week.

Admittedly, Indian movies are influenced by Hindu culture and some of its basic tenets, it is feared, could run counter to the principles of Islam. There is, of course, more to the films than just the beautiful protagonists and the mesmerising song-and-dance segments that seemingly form their core.

There's always an underlying social message: fighting for the downtrodden, the come-uppance on corrupt politicians, unjust rulers and unscrupulous, rich men who cheat the poor, and the ever-popular theme of good eventually triumphing over evil - messages which are sparse in local movies.

Film and television producer Ruhani Abdul Rahman of Nizarman Sdn Bhd is of the view that Bollywood movies can help strengthen family ties as the whole family gathers to watch them.

``Moral decadence is not due to the influence of Bollywood movies but to the wide distribution of pornographic videos and the lack of religious guidance by parents. Hollywood and Hong Kong films are equally guilty of having violence and sexual innuendo,'' she said.

RTM's Radio Division managing director Zainal Abidin Ibrahim has yet to get any directive on the amount of airplay that Hindi songs will receive.

``They were merely touching on the `explicit' scenes in Bollywood movies and not the songs. We will still play the songs as usual. All the controversy has not affected our stand,'' he said.

Another person who feels strongly about this subject is Recording Industry of Malaysia (RIM) chairman Tony Fernandes.

``Bollywood films promote strong traditional values and respect among family members. The social messages are very much in tune with what many Malaysians feel and the portrayals in the Indian movies are often seen as admirable, courageous and realistic in today's materialistic world,'' he said.

These, plus the songs, music and breathtaking scenery, converge to make Bollywood productions totally absorbing.

Harrusani said he was afraid that the Malays, especially those in rural areas, would while away their time if these timeconsuming movies (usually lasting three hours) are shown frequently.

The muftis, who have the trust and respect of the Muslims, only want to ensure that Muslims here remain true to their faith. So why condemn the muftis just because they worry that suggestive scenes in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Mohabbatein or Dil Kiya Kare (to name a few) could lead weaker Muslims to commit sexual crimes?

The notion is not totally far-fetched. Remember how the Shah Rukh Khan craze compelled Indonesian women to seek Bangladeshi Shah Rukh look-alikes some time back? There was mayhem when Indonesian men started assaulting Bangladeshi males.

But at a time when the government, especially Dr Mahathir, is encouraging Indian filmmakers to shoot movies here, the Bollywood issue should take a back seat to other more pressing issues such as the planned Malay unity talks between the two largest Muslim-based parties in the country, Umno and PAS.

Muslims, in general, are defensive of their religious teachers and other custodians of their faith. And, aside from a few powerful, influential and manipulative groups of so-called ``broad-minded'' Muslims, the community, by and large, would likely take the side of the muftis.

And non-Muslims should be careful as to how they approach the issue as it could cross boundaries well beyond their ken.

Harussani was merely cautioning and alerting Muslims not to watch excessive Indian movies - such as those featuring handsome hunks Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan and the beautiful, seductive Aisywarya Rai, Kajol and Manisha Koirala - that are liable to be detrimental to the Muslim faith.

It was just a caution, not a warning. The muftis were not suggesting a ban on Bollywood movies. They are not frivolous people bent on creating confusion in young minds but learned, knowledgeable and responsible people guided by the Holy Quran and the hadith (Islamic tenets) who felt that they had to make a stand against something they see as ``heavily manipulated and manoeuvred''. So, let's break away from mufti-bashing once and for all.

For at the end of the day, the outcome of the ongoing debates on Bollywood will not matter to the stations whose primary concern, like that of any other business, remains the bottomline and ratings.

Why be concerned about the derision of the minority when stations can attract greater advertising revenue by airing films that appeal to the masses?

BY ZIEMAN - PUBLISHED 7/3/2001