Celebrities take on: National anthem in movie theatres

The Supreme Court, on November 30, ruled that the National Anthem must be played at all cinema halls prior to movie screenings. The new directive, which will be in affect in one week across the country, also demands that everyone present in the hall, stand at attention for the duration of the anthem, when the tricolour is displayed on the screen. The bench, comprised of justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy, stated, “Time has come for people to realise that the National Anthem is a symbol of constitutional patriotism… people must feel they live in a nation and this wallowing individually perceived notion of freedom must go… people must feel this is my country, my motherland.” Does such a directive truly instill patriotism? Celebs, comedians, educationalists weigh in.

We get celebrities to give their take on a current issue each week and lend their perspective to a much-discussed topic. This week we talk about: National anthem in movie theatres

Nida Mahmood, fashion designer: ‘I feel this is a very positive move’

I don’t mind standing up for the National Anthem at all. Look at the USA or the UK, people flaunt their love for their country in every possible way, they even wear their national flag in form of accessories, clothing, etc. I feel this is a very positive move and there is nothing wrong in standing up for your own roots and your own country that gave you your identity.

Jose Covaco, comedian and VJ: ‘It is an orthodox decision’

This move is fantastic and in fact National Anthem should be played everywhere, it should be played at parks, shopping malls, concerts, traffic signals and also at the parliament. If possible, it should be played in the Supreme Court as well. However, one should only stand for the National Anthem out of respect and not because it is a law. This is an inappropriate move and is not at all progressive for our country. Everyone has the right to freedom and expression. Hence making this compulsary is also questioning the democracy and the right of an individual. It is an orthodox decision and shouldn’t have been approved in my opinion. The anthem is something we have been singing from our school time and making it as a compulsion makes no sense.

Abhisek Krishnan, Author and actor: ‘People will settle in the hall sooner’

I think it is utterly pointless. I don’t really understand how it will instill patriotism. And I don’t know why a nationalistic feel has to be forced before watching a film. Actually, a theatre in Chennai had the practice of playing the National Anthem two years back and the only positive outcome I witnessed during that time was, it made people settle in the cinema hall soon without causing a disturbance.

Vinay Menon, Stand-Up Comedian: ‘It has become like a litmus test’

Patriotism should not be forced onto anybody. Now it has become like a litmus test, if you stand up for the National Anthem you are patriotic otherwise you are not. We do have the National Anthem played at the beginning of every show, but we also joke about it, because ours is supposed to be a comedy show.

Gaurav Gera, actor:  ‘Patriotism must come from heart’

People are generally not used to standing up for National Anthem before any movie screening in India and that’s the reason why there is lot of reactions. In Mumbai, we have been standing up for National Anthem in a theatre for many years now, so it’s quite normal for us. Standing up for it should not be a problem as it’s for few minutes and not that people go to movies every day. However, patriotism should come from heart and not from any rules set by the government.

Priyanka P. V., Director, educationist: ‘Younger generation have a different take on patriotism’

The National Anthem was being played in movie halls in the early ’90s too. Today, the younger generation have a different take on patriotism. They do respect India and the National Anthem but for them patriotism is doing something for the country and making it a better place to live. For example, educating the poor is patriotism for the generation of the 21st century. The tricolour flag and the National Anthem being played in a cinema hall seems a misfit because everyone comes to enjoy a three hour movie. Moreover, a movie in a cinema hall, only a few sect of people can afford. The cinema hall is a place for entertainment and recreation.

With due respect to the national flag and to the court, I feel that the movie hall is not an appropriate place to play the National Anthem. Every individual of India and all Indians have immense respect towards India, the national flag and the anthem but the situation of playing it in the cinema hall isn’t appropriate. The respect, unity and diversity of our nation comes naturally to the citizens of our country and is not bound by playing or hearing the National Anthem.