After 'Khuda Ke Liye', 'Shoot on Sight' voices Muslims concerns

New Delhi, Oct 16 (UNI) As Asians over the world face an atmosphere of hate in the West in the aftermath of the 9/11 attack and the 2005 London bombings, a number of film makers are reflecting through their cinematic ventures the growing Islamophobia across the Western world and its impact on moderate Asians and Muslims settled there.

The latest in the series of films aiming to present to the West, the voice of the moderate Muslim seeking a fervent plea for an end to the Islamophobia that has been plaguing the West over the last few years is JagMohan Mundhra's 'Shoot On Sight', which releases in theatres in India tomorrow.

Produced by Aron Govil Productions, 'Shoot On Sight', an international production featuring veteran Indian actors Naseerudin Shah, Om Puri and Gulshan Grover alongside an ensemble of Hollywood actors like Greta Scacchi, Brian Cox, Laila Rouass and Sadie Frost, is a thriller based on the July 7, 2005 bombings in London and the Islamophobia set off in the country in its wake.

Releasing in India on around 300 prints, 'Shoot On Sight' is a gripping thriller and riveting family drama that unfolds the turmoil in the life of Tariq Ali (Naseerudin Shah), a Muslim police officer at Scotland Yard.

Commander Ali, born in Pakistan, married to an English woman, and with two teenage kids, is tasked to investigate the police shooting of a suspected Muslim terrorist on the London Underground.

Distrusted by both his British superiors in the London police, and his fellow Muslims, he finds his inquiry hampered from all sides.

When evidence surfaces pointing to the slain man's innocence as well as the existence of a terrorist cell operating in his own backyard, Tariq must face the realisation that sometimes the right decision is the hardest one to make. The film is inspired by the terrorist attack of July 7, 2005 on the London underground that resulted in Shoot On Sight order.

Says the director of 'Shoot On Sight' Jagmohan Mundhra, ''I made the film as after the bombings, I was in London and noticed that my looks went against me, probably because I had a beard and resembled a Muslim. I couldn't even get a taxi back to my apartment.

The film tries to show how because of acts of some extremist Muslims, the majority of progressive minorities are also seen in the same light as the extremists. They also have to suffer from the Islamophobia prevailing in Western countries.'' Citing the example of England in this regard, Mundhra said a country which, till a few years ago, was extremely liberal towards Mulsims became strongly anti-Muslim after the bombings. ''England has a lot of Muslims, especially in a city like Brandford. The country has been very open and liberal about having Muslims as part of their culture. Infact, the city of London has a Mosque at every nook and corner. However, post the July 7 bombings, the liberal attitude was replaced by a lot of anti-Muslim feeling in England,'' he said.

That all the terrorists were home grown people - not from outside the country, but born and raised in England and educated in English institutions - who went to Pakistan and trained to be terrorists and came back and committed the terrorist act in London has not gone down well with the general British people,'' Mundhra said.

Mundhra, who has earlier made films like 'Bawander' and 'Provoked', said the film did not try to justify the terrorist act. ''At the same time, the movie tries to show to the White people that every Muslim is not a terrorist. Infact, a majority of them are as much against Islamic terrorism as the westerners are,'' the filmmaker said.

'Shoot On Sight', to be released in the English Version along with the Hindi one, will be released in around 300 prints including the digital prints.

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