Indian Cinema Takes a Political Stand: Boycott on Turkey and Azerbaijan
Film industry advocacy groups, AICWA and FWICE, call for boycott of Turkey and Azerbaijan due to their pro-Pakistan stance; film professionals express their views on the matter.
In response to Turkey and Azerbaijan's recent show of solidarity with Pakistan amidst the ongoing Indo-Pak tensions, Indian film bodies have taken a stance, urging the Indian film industry to eschew production in these two countries.
The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) have been vocal about this, demanding a boycott on shooting in Turkey and even Turkish artistes working in India. The FWICE has further amplified this by sending letters to the I&B Ministry and OTT platforms, requesting the removal of Turkish shows.
Bollywood's Turkey Affair
Turkey has been a popular location for several Bollywood films, including Guru (2007), Race 2 (2013), Dil Dhadakne Do (2015), and Tiger Zinda Hai (2017). The country's economy and tourism sectors have reaped the benefits, with a 2-4 day schedule for an Indian film costing roughly between ₹5 - ₹6 crore, escalating to ₹30 - ₹40 crore for big-budget productions.
Suresh Shyamlal Gupta, President of AICWA, states bluntly, "We want Indian films to be shot neither in Turkey nor Azerbaijan. Furthermore, anyone from these countries working in India, we shall ban them, and their visas shall be revoked. We will also communicate our concerns to India's Foreign Ministry."
BN Tiwari, President of FWICE, emphasizes, "Our principle is 'nation first.' The weapons you're supplying are causing harm to innocent people. We can't tolerate this. We've already informed the entire film industry about the boycott and plan to write a letter to the government as well, urging them to expel Turkish artistes from the country."
Filmmakers Join the Boycott Call
Director Anil Sharma, known for his blockbuster film Gadar, expresses his stand, "Even if this appeal wasn't made, filmmakers have a responsibility to stand for India. Anything associated with India, we are with it. I was working on a script with Utkarsh and Turkey was one of the locations. However, after this incident, we decided not to go. Turkey is a beautiful country, but no creative satisfaction is greater than India's interest and the love for our country."
Producer Tanuj Garg echoes similar thoughts, "As Indian filmmakers, we are aware that shooting abroad comes with its logistical challenges. Yet, we are cautious about aligning our choices with our audience and nation's sentiments. Until there's a positive shift in sentiment and bilateral warmth, we will be cautious about pursuing shoots in these regions."
The Kashmir Files director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri agrees with the decision, likening it to modern warfare, "In this information age, war is not limited to troop movements. It extends to propaganda, cyber warfare, and narrative manipulation. So, obviously, if we consider Pakistan an enemy, those who support them directly are our enemies too."
However, not all filmmakers agree. Filmmaker Onir raises questions about the selective nature of the boycott, "I have mixed feelings about this boycott, specifically because, in any conflict, there are different sides. China has also been supplying arms. Why aren't we banning everything tied to China?"
Onir further questions the apparent inconsistency, "At the same time, I was deeply hurt as an Indian citizen when Turkey supplied arms to Pakistan during a time of conflict. China has openly supported Pakistan, but only Turkey and Azerbaijan are under the boycott? As a filmmaker or tourist, I would feel uncomfortable visiting countries that support Pakistan directly."
- Indo-Pak Tensions
- Boycott Turkey & Azerbaijan
- Indian Film Industry
- International Relations
- Indian filmmakers have joined the call for a boycott on Turkey and Azerbaijan, following the nations' show of support for Pakistan amidst the Indo-Pak tensions.
- The call for a boycott extends to Turkish artistes working in India, as well as filming in these countries, with the All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) and Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) leading the charge.
- The Indian economy also plays a role in this situation, as the country's film industry contributes substantially to Turkey's economy with film shoots.
- In the realm of policy and legislation, India's government may be affected by these events, with the FWICE sending letters to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and OTT platforms.
- This boycott is not just about entertainment or movies and TV, but also about politics, general news, and international relations – a complex web of decisions that demonstrate the interconnectedness of various sectors in our world.
