Amid 'Pathaan' row, FWICE seeks government help against 'Boycott Bollywood'
What's the story
Last year, a number of Bollywood films had to face the wrath of the "Boycott Bollywood" trend. Even movies of many superstars took a massive hit due to public outrage against certain films and actors. And now, with Pathaan staring at the same trend, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) issued a statement and has sought the government's help against the trend.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Bollywood had to suffer massive losses after several films released in the past year failed to perform well at the box office. While the lack of good content was one of the reasons, the Boycott Bollywood trend only added to the filmmakers' (and actors') woes. Given its impact on business, the industry is trying to end this trend by seeking the government's help.
Details
What did FWICE's statement say?
In its statement, the FWICE sought the government's protection and wrote, "The recent trend of '#BoycottBollywood' has been affecting the producers and lakhs of workers working for the films." "It has been seriously noted by the FWICE as it has raised a major situation of survival of the common workers, technicians, and the artists who are earning their daily bread from this industry."
Calling out the trend
Those having objections should approach CBFC: FWICE
Further, in its statement, the federation said "Boycott Bollywood" was a disturbing trend. While also condemning the trend, it said that those who have an objection to a film should register their grievance with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) instead of "blatantly boycotting the entire industry." "We urge the government to intervene in the matter," it said.
Twitter Post
Read FWICE's full statement here
@fwicemum strongly condemns the ongoing trend of #BoycottBollywood and seek immediate protection against the #hooliganism in #theaters and the #threats to the producers pic.twitter.com/XCBNKEGI3G
— Federation of Western India Cine Employees (@fwicemum) January 6, 2023
Seeking help
Earlier, Suniel Shetty sought UP CM's help
Earlier, Suniel Shetty sought Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath's help in bringing the audience back to theaters. The CM was in Mumbai on Thursday to discuss opportunities in his state's upcoming Film City. Shetty spoke to Adityanath about the anti-Bollywood wave. "The hashtag that's going on, Boycott Bollywood, yeh ruk bhi sakta hai aapke kehne se (it'll stop if you say)," Shetty told him.
Twitter Post
Watch: Suniel Shetty seeking help from UP CM Yogi Adityanath
Suniel Shetty Seeks Help From Yogi Adityanath To Stop #BoycottBollywood Trend
— Access Bollywood (@AccessBollywoo2) January 6, 2023
सुनील शेट्टी ने योगी आदित्यनाथ से #BoycottBollywood ट्रेंड को रोकने में मदद मांगी #BoycottbollywoodCompletely #BoycottBollywoodForever #BollywoodKiGandagi #YogiAdityanath #SunielShetty pic.twitter.com/mgw9V7gqw1
Impact
Films that were hit by trend recently
In 2022, the Boycott Bollywood trend picked up ahead of the release of Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan starrer Laal Singh Chaddha. It then gripped Akshay Kumar's Raksha Bandhan, followed by Vijay Deverakonda's Liger and Ayan Mukerji's Brahmastra: Part One—Shiva. Now, some social media users have started using the trend against Shah Rukh Khan's Pathaan, following the release of its song Besharam Rang.