BOLLYWOOD FORUM FOR HINDU MUSLIM UNITY.

INFLUENCING PERCEPTIONS.

Unity in Diversity is not a mere slogan for Bollywood. It is a way of life. Bollywood is a place where healthy multicultural environment has existed ever since the birth of Indian Film Industry, this has been possible for the simple reason that 'Art knows no boundaries', whichever these boundaries are- religious, linguistic, or regional. If you are a true artist, Bollywood embraces you with open arms.

Bollywood may constitute a small fraction of Indian economy but in terms of it's presence and opinion forming power, Bollywood is one of the most important of all industries.
India is a multicultural society as far back as one could trace it's civilization. India has been the truest boiling pots of all, on the earth. Reel life, as we all know is inspired from Real life. And in India, Real life means the societies we live in, their constitution, and their heritage and above all the multicultural nature of our society.

Here is some analysis on why bollywood has such an impeccable and unique track record on healthy multicultural practices? Three main points come to the fore.

1] Bollywood people are primarily creative artists of one kind or another. They are entertainers in front of the camera or Creators, technicians working behind the cameras. And mind you, being creative artists in this world is not an easy thing. To entertain people you should understand people and to understand people you should connect to people, now connecting with people is possible only with love and compassion. You can not possibly connect to people if you do not have an open mind- A mind free of religious, linguistic and ethnic biases.

2] Bollywood people work with each other with very close proximity. During shoots they travel, work, stay and eat together. This seemingly less important aspect has a huge impact on the relationships and bonds between various human beings it creates. All the inhibitions melt away when you break bread with strangers. They share similar problems, they are working towards similar goals. It has a great psychological role in the strong friendships formed here.

3] Bollywood stars, no matter in which community they are born, ultimately belong to all communities. Fans do not discriminate them based on their faiths, similarly stars graciously respect love and appreciation showered on them by their fans of all communities. And Bollywood stars are the biggest ambassadors of bollywood industry. They are the multicultural face of Bollywood.

So apart from multicultural nature of our society, and that nature rubs on every true Indian, Bollywood no exception, the above three points work as stimulators in bringing people together. These points particularly, though subconsciously, formulate and lead the positive multicultural experience in Bollywood.

Now, though underplayed, this is not something new, since generations we have seen and known Bollywood for this healthy form of multicultural practices, why talk about it now?

It is very important especially today for Bollywood to stand up and come out with support for multicultural nature of our society. Pronouncing this emphatically has become more important than ever before. This would send a strong message of peace, brotherhood and friendship in the society and strengthen the old bonds, reassure people and boost the morale. Especially, the youth, they are at the vulnerable age of forming opinions on everything. They need to know the real thing and not as told and how told by the most loudest voices around, because those voices may not be saying the truth. They need to hear all voices and then form opinions.

Terrorism has shown its ugly face all over the world. Media is reacting to it in its own way, sometimes partially, sometimes grossly ill informed and often sensationalizing . At times it is representing bollywood, in a self styled manner, and at times not so accurately much to the dismay of bollywood folks in the later case. A wrong representation is as bad as wrong stand if not worse.

As it is said, You are what you say. Communication is direct and effective if it comes from Bollywood and reaches those who matter to us, this includes our audiences, people those who get influenced by bollywood and whose lives are impacted by bollywood, their ideologies, opinions are shaped by bollywood films and bollywood personalities.

People all over the world are for peaceful existence, People do not hate each other, sometimes they are influenced, misinformed and brainwashed, so that they would hate each other. An individual is not interested in hate games, he does not understand the games played by the powerful or those who are sitting in the seats of power. He is a simple man who just wants to see his family happy, a secure social environment where equal opportunities welcome him with open arms.

We are all becoming victims of terrorism. There are direct victims and there are indirect victims. Firstly those who are direct victims, meaning those who are suffering due to terrorism, physically hurt because of terrorism, here the hurt is physical as well as psychological. Secondly, the indirect victims- they are victims of generalization, sinful propaganda and negative branding of communities. For indirect victims the hurt is psychological. Direct or indirect, they all suffer with various degrees. And bollywood wants to sympathies with them, help them heal, get back on their feet and move on in life. It is simply our job, the job is not easy, it requires initiative, patience and true belief.

Fortunately, Bollywood has a voice and opinion of its own- a strong one. We can and we will remain strong and united because that's the way we are. Yet it is our responsibility to stand up for the unshakable faith in our multicultural way of life, a faith above all faiths. We owe it our nations, our heritage, our audiences, our followers.

Lets do our bit.
Influencing Perceptions.

Objectives

1. Propagate and strengthen the age old, 'Bollywood's healthy multicultural work environment'.
2. In the sensitive world of Multiculturalism, influence perceptions positively with the message of love and friendship. Multicultural world is getting increasingly vulnerable due to external acts and influences.
3. Address issues that threaten multiculturalism in Bollywood.
4. Proactively promote multiculturalism through meetings, news, events, awards.

Why act?

Ignorance- Bollywood folks generally prefer to stay in their own world of 'Creative Content Creation'. It is safe and it is convenient and it works for them. It keeps you nicely tucked away from the realities of the complex external world- external world as viewed by Bollywood folks. Due to this one is alienated from the opinion forming process and one ends up endorsing opinions formed on one's behalf, whether you believe in those opinions or not. The fact remains that, with the passive attitude you miss the chance of being a part of opinion making.

Activism- Activism is either viewed as politically motivated or groupism. This is farthest from the truth. Do not think that ignorance is bliss. The true activism is simply appreciating the beautiful existing nature of your environment and to strive to protect it.

Demography- This is vital, demographic nature of the Indian society is little different from the demographic nature of certain industries, states, cities within the Indian society. Bollywood for that matter has it's own unique demographic constitution. And that requires positive nurturing of healthy multicultural practices, within bollywood.

Pronouncement- Pronouncements at the right platforms, by the right people and in the right manner make the communication effective and complete. 'Multicultaral bollywood' is an underplayed aspect. Underplaying multiculturalism will not help it prosper, grow, it requires appreciation and encouragement. Continued and sustained public appreciation enthuses new energies, in the existing healthy practices. It is a part of camaraderie building process.

Approach

" Sensitive
" Non preachy
" Active

Sensitive- Hindu-Muslim unity is definitely one aspect of Bollywood that we are very proud of, it is closer to our hearts. At the same time there is an air of discomfort when the subject is touched upon in the wrong manner, at the wrong place and at the wrong time. So saying it rightly is very important. The low key yet confident presentation is important.

Non preachy -Our approach is very different from the media and the polity because we come from the entertainment industry. We are practitioners of this philosophy and not mere commentators. Once we use the words Hindu and Muslim in our organization's name we do not use the religion names again. The whole stress is on multiculturalism. It is today's approach, the global approach. However, we hit the nail on its head when we present our forum's name and leave it there. There is no need to go about repeatedly on how good or how important it is. Everybody knows that we are here to make the belief stronger. We are influencing the perceptions, positively.

Active- Our participation is active and not passive. Having few meetings over coffee is not the idea here. Forum shall take part in organizing following events.
1. Blood Donation camp.
2. Scholarships to children.
3. Loans to Industry workers.
4. Help to destitute and old.
5. Help to cancer and heart patients.
6. Film Awards.
7. Post Calamities and Post Riots help.