Ram Gopal Varma seems to continue his honeymoon with social organizations in Hyderabad. While his previous Telugu film "Madhyannam Hatya" (Murder at Noon) attracted the wrath of women organizations, his recent film on black magic, Raksha, has come under fire from Jana Vignana Vedika (JVV). Ramu directed the former, but only presented Raksha. Raksha, the Telugu version of Phoonk, is directed by Vamsikrishna Akella, who had approached Varma with the basic plot.

JVV, which strives to eliminate superstitions and promote the use of science and technology among people, contends that such movies give unnecessary glorification to social evils like black magic which will have a negative impact on people, especially living in remote villages. Incidentally, there have been reports about people being killed on the suspicion that they were practicing black magic in remote villages of Andhra Pradesh.

JVV found fault with the film's promotional caption "Meeku Eppudyna Chetabadi Jarigindaa?" which upon loose translation reads, "Have you ever been a victim of Black Magic?" The hoardings of Madhyannam Hatya too were on the same lines. The wall posters bore the tagline "Meekeppudynaa Mee Bhaarya Chachipothe Baagundanipinchindaa?" ("Did you ever wish your wife were dead?).

I don't know how this was offensive advertising, but women activists were furious about the tag line and howled that Varma was publicly glamorizing crime against women. Coming back to Raksha, a member of JVV criticized Varma for considering an evil theme for making a film and magnifying its impact. He vehemently opposed casting a small girl and throwing her up and down from the bed in one of the shots. He felt that censor board had lost its senses and called for imposing ban on such movies. He openly challenged that he would give 10 lakh rupees if Varma or his crew members proved that black magic exists.

I don't know how such hoardings and films impact common audience, but it is sheer waste of time debating on such issues. If you want to ban such movies then you should also ban newspapers and channels reporting crime news. As part of marketing, I believe, you can use such means to arouse curiosity. Moreover, if people are really influenced by movies, why don't we get inspired and do everything that is showed in a movie. Commenting on the same, Varma asked why small families didn’t unite after watching Hum Apke Hain Kaun or a hell lot of family dramas that followed. If a person can get influenced by a movie then he can be influenced by anything and everything. You are right Mr.Varma, I fully endorse you.

Just imagine how it would be if such a public forum existed in America.

Finally, JVV, if you hate or fear such movies, better stay away from them, but don't spoil our entertainment.