The News Minute | December 22, 2014 | 11:55 am IST
Raving appreciation has been pouring in for Aamir Khan ever since movie PK’s release last weekend. But equivalent to the appreciation over the social message spread, negative criticism over the religious representation in the movie has been widely voiced on social media.
With a hashtag #BoycottPK, a sizable number of twitterati has been demanding a boycott of the movie for its depiction of religion, especially Hinduism.
The reasons for the boycott have been wide and varied.
The movie essentially deals amongst other issues with extravenous customs associated with each religion which according to the film is ‘phaste’(waste). For instance, from poojas in temples to baptism in churches and rituals in dargahs, the question asked was simple – if God could speak, would he rather you pour litres of milk on him, or instead give that same food to millions of starving children across the country.
However, even though all religions have been targeted in the movie, Hinduism has been given more video coverage.
While Aamir attempts to reach out to God in the movie, he creates a ruckus in almost every religious institution. To depict this, he is seen creating a scene at a temple and a church, however, the scene at a mosque shows him being shooed away as he tries entering with wine bottles in his hand.
#Pk #BoycottPk because he cant even enter dargah 2 offer wine to allah.bt he entrd mandir nd church 2 misbehave.b kattar hindu for this act
— Arjun Mishra (@ArjunMishra72) December 22, 2014Even as Love Jihad ( a term associated with the forced conversion of Hindu girls into Islam after falling in love with Muslim boys) remains a touchy subject in the country, Rajkumar Hirani, the movie's director, depicts a Hindu girl falling in love with a Muslim boy from Pakistan.
Jo darta hai woh mandir jaata hai@aamir_khan went 2 Haj in 2012. Would he dare use same language for Haj #BoycottPK pic.twitter.com/z6p4bgxDqP
— #GauravPradhan (@DrGPradhan) December 21, 2014Lord Shiva is included and insulted in PK. #BoycottPK
— Suvie Ritu Chandra (@SuvalagnaC) December 21, 2014Can you show Arabs (Allah & Muhammad) running like this? #BanPK @RajkumarHirani #BoycottPK #SecularConversions pic.twitter.com/D4ERDBaUKX
— Sunny #HDL (@sunny0_) December 22, 2014One more reason to #BoycottPK ... it has Dawood's friend Terrorist Dutt in it
— vande_mataram (@Vande_Mataram) December 21, 2014The actor faced the brunt of criticism from some over his alleged stance against one particular religion.
Aamir you were really Hero for us because of your movies and acting. But don't use your popularity just against Hindu religion. #boycottpk
— Shweta Dalvi (@shweta_dalvi) December 22, 2014On the other side, #IsupportPK was also trending.
Bhakts are trending #BoycottPK . Then it must be a sensible film. Now planning to watch it. Had no plans earlier.
— Tinu Cherian Abraham (@tinucherian) December 21, 2014Indian audience is one confused lot. They saw Oh My God and praised Paresh Rawal but they bash Aamir for PK. #IsupportPK
— Devika Chaturvedi (@devikachats) December 22, 2014Amused to hear idiots calling #PK anti hindu. Shows their ignorance. If the film is anything, it's pro humanity & spirituality! #IsupportPk
— Atanu Banerjee (@atanu4ever) December 22, 2014The crux of the issue was also addressed when another twitter user said this
Would everyone feel better if a Hindu actor had made the movie?#GetOverPK #BoycottPK #IsupportPK
— Anawnimiss (@Anawnimiss) December 22, 2014Sickular BJP shud NOT have given ticket to @SirPareshRawal for "insulting" Hindu sentiments in OMG movie. Dare 2 throw him out! #IsupportPK
— Struggler (@SumitMutneja) December 22, 2014