New DelhI : As Hindu right-wing groups continue their protests over “PK”, veteran journalist and activist Ved Pratap Vaidik says people are opposing the Aamir Khan movie because of a “misunderstanding” and they should watch it before going against it as the movie is actually against religious frauds and people who have made a business out of religion and are conning ordinary people.
Demonstrations against the movie have taken place in Delhi, Agra, Bhopal, Ahmedabad and many other places across the country. Hindu organisations like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal say the movie hurt religious sentiments of Hindus.
Among those who have spoken against the movie are yoga guru Ramdev, Swami Swaroopanand Shankaracharya and Maulana Firangi Mahal.
However, Ramdev close aide Vaidik says he is “amazed” at the people who are protesting against the film.
“Whatever Ramdev was told by people, on that basis, he issued the statement. But now perhaps, he will see the film and form his own opinion,” Vaidik, who hit the headlines last year after he went to Pakistan and met extremist leader Hafiz Sayed, told IANS.
“The film is against hypocrites, against fraudulent people, against those who, in the name of god, or in the name of religion, are setting up their own ‘dhanda’ (business).
“I was amazed why people are protesting against this film. The film should be watched before opposing it. They will stop opposing once they watch it. The people are opposing the film because of a misunderstanding, there is no other reason,” he said.
“PK” portrays Aamir Khan as an alien who is fascinated by India. The film, which released Dec 19, also stars Anushka Sharma, Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani and Sushant Singh Rajput.
Vaidik also encouraged filmmakers to make movies that portray the truth and feels they should not be afraid of such protests.
“Filmmakers should be courageous enough to make such good artistic films which depict the truth. And they should never be afraid of those people who are protesting because they have not seen the film.”