Anil Kapoor, Govind Nihalani condemn banning of 'Fanaa' in Gujarat

New Delhi, May 27 (UNI) Terming as "harsh" the ban on release of the Aamir Khan Kajol-starrer 'Fanaa' in cinema halls in Gujarat actor Anil Kapoor and filmmaker Govind Nihalani today said not screening the film in cinema halls amounted to curbing the freedom of creative expression of an artiste.

The Gujarat Multiplex association has decided not to screen Aamir Khan's latest film, which released all over India yesterday, in the state owing to some statements made by Aamir Khan in support of rehabilitation of the Narmada Bachao Andolan activists.

''I have known Aamir for several years and, knowing him, I can categorically say that whatever Aamir Khan has done is with full conviction and because he strongly believes in the issue. However, banning the release of the film just because he espoused a cause is totally condemnable,''Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor told UNI here.

''I truly believe that in a democratic country films or works of art should not be banned,''Anil said a function in the capital to honour him as brand ambassador for plan India for the cause of promoting Universal birth registration Endorsing the opinion of Anil Kapoor, filmmaker Govind Nihalani said,''with due respect to the people of Gujarat, I would like to state that Aamir made it amply clear he was not against the people of Gujarat, not against the constrcution of the Sardar Sarovar Dam.

The only thing he was concerned with is the rehabilitation of people displaced by the Dam.

Saying that he spoke against people of a particular state amounts to politicising the issue which is highly regrettable.

In this context, it totally condemn the band as it amounts to penalising Aamir for something that has been borne out of his personal conviction.'' On attempts to disrupt screenings of his films in Gujarat and, now, blocking release of his latest film there, Nihalani said,''for people to have views different from Aamir is not bad. After all, in a democracy different persons have the right to hold diverse views. But forcing one's opinion by banning an actor's film is not right.'' On attempts to stop screening of 'The Da Vinci Code', even after the film had obtained a censor certificate, he said,''there is a new trend wherein even after the film has recieved a censor certificate , people of several sections insist on seeing the film before it is released. This is a dangerous trend.'' UNI AR RL VC1645