In one fell swoop, Salman Khan has managed to both outrage and enamour his public this week. First he struck box-office gold with his latest action thriller, Dabangg (below). Then, his controversial comment — that the outrage over 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai was hyped because the elite were targeted — sparked nationwide protests in India.
Though Khan has publicly apologised for his comment made to a Pakistani TV channel, it's not the first time that an actor has put his foot in his mouth while promoting a film. And truth be told, the controversy is not adversely affecting Dabangg's box-office run. The film is being touted as the highest grosser of 2010 with a whopping Rs490 million (Dh38.84 million) taking on its opening weekend — smashing the Rs410 million record set by Aamir Khan's blockbuster comedy 3 Idiots. Coincidence? We suspect not.
Plenty of Bollywood flicks started out steeped in controversy and ended up as box office hits. tabloid! takes a look at some of the most controversial.
My Name Is Khan
Controversy: Global icon Shah Rukh Khan being frisked at an airport plus his comments about the inclusion of Pakistani players in the Indian Premier League equals a Bollywood blockbuster.
The film should have been called My Name Is Controversy. Even before its release, MNIK grabbed headlines way back in August 2009 when its lead actor was questioned for over two hours at Newark Airport. Though Khan spoke freely about the incident, it was his comment on the cricket league that sparked protest.
End Result: At the world premiere of MNIK, held in Abu Dhabi, SRK told tabloid! that his comment had led to an "unfortunate situation" for his MNIK team, but he was in no mood to apologise. His stand was clear: His comment was his personal opinion and he was not going to bow to political pressure of any kind.
He was not alone. His BFFs — director Karan Johar and lead actress Kajol — backed him all the way. The film did exceptionally well and raked in Rs902 million worldwide in three days.
Wake Up Sid
Controversy: Mumbai vs Bombay
Indian right-wing extremist party Shiv Sena raised objections when the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer referred to the city of Mumbai as Bombay. Apart from burning posters in theatres across Mumbai and Pune, Shiv Sena activists called for a ban on the film's release until Karan Johar stepped in as peacemaker.
End result: Johar tendered an apology to Shiv Sen Chief Bal Thackeray for using the word Bombay in his film instead of Mumbai. A disclaimer was also added to the reels.
Jodhaa Akbar
Controversy: Indian history distorted, plus cruelty towards animals.
When leaders of the Rajput community alleged that historical facts had been distorted in the epic, Oscar-nominated director Ashutosh Gowarikar stuck to his guns, claiming his film was a well-researched project. Meanwhile, animal rights groups issued a letter to Gowarikar asking if he had sought the necessary permission to use animals in his films and whether there was any ill-treatment during the shooting. More than 50 camels, 100 horses and over 80 elephants were used in the film.
End result: The film was banned in as many as 30 theatres in Rajasthan but went on to scoop all the major awards in 2009. Gowarikar maintained that all the animals were given adequate rest.
Raajneeti
Controversy: Was Katrina Kaif playing Sonia Gandhi?
In an unprecedented move, director Prakash Jha screened his political thriller to the representatives of Congress — an Indian political party — prior to its world release to prove that Katrina Kaif's role bore little resemblance to their party leader, Sonia Gandhi. Though Kaif in an interview with tabloid! maintained her role was not based on the life of Gandhi, it was not until the release that we believed her. "I don't think my role is based on Sonia Gandhi at all... To make a film about the life of Sonia Gandhi — you may have to make a film completely centred around her. This is an ensemble cast film," Kaif said.
End-result: Rajneeti went on to become one of 2010's top grossers after collecting over Rs550 million on its opening weekend.
Love Aaj Kal
Controversy: A botched beard stirs religious sentiments.
LAK's director Imtiaz Ali hit bulls-eye when it came to depicting the Sikh community in his blockbuster Jab We Met, but he wasn't as lucky with his next outing, Love Aaj Kal. The problem? Saif Ali Khan's trimmed beard. Veer Singh's neatly-cut beard went against Sikh beliefs. Objection letters by Sikh organisations were sent to LAK's team and threats to stall the release of the film in India were raised.
End result: Ali screened his romantic comedy to several leaders of Sikh organisations to prove that Sikhs have been depicted in a glorious light. Producer-actor Khan went the extra mile by calling a press conference along with the Sikh leaders and publicly apologised for unintentionally hurting India's minority community. The issue was then resolved amicably after the leaders suggested a few changes to a scene.
Peepli Live
Controversy: Trivialising tragedy and musical plagiarism.
Anusha Rizvi's debut vehicle was billed as a social satire on farmer suicides in India, but some farmers didn't see any humour in the situation. Farmers in Vidarbha region in Maharashtra protested by burning effigies and sought to ban the film. A plagiarism row over the song Chola Mati Ke Ram came to light before the film hit the theatres when Chattisgarh singer Gangaram Siwar claimed he was the original composer.
End result: Farmers' demands were not met. And Aamir Khan's production house maintained that all rights were purchased. The film, made on Rs100 million, raked in Rs230 on its opening weekend.
