Rajiv Menon, known for his cinematography work in Mani Ratnam’s movie “Bombay,” believes that if the film were to be released today, it would face significant challenges. He pointed out that over the past few decades, India’s tolerance level has decreased. While discussing the movie, which reflects the tragic events surrounding the 1993 Mumbai riots, Menon shared his concerns about how audiences might respond to its sensitive themes in the current climate.
In a conversation on the O2 India YouTube channel, Menon stated, “A film like Bombay cannot be made today. The atmosphere in India has become more tense, and people hold very strong beliefs. Religion has become a heated issue. I’m afraid that if we released it in theaters, we might see violent reactions.” He expressed his fear that the film might incite violence given the growing intolerance in society.
Menon also addressed a question regarding a specific scene in which Manisha Koirala’s character removes her burqa during the famous “Tu Hi Re” song. He clarified that the removal of the burqa was not intended to signify a rejection of her faith. He explained the scene was shot with limited props and was designed to be visually engaging, allowing her to wear a beautiful blue dress instead.
Director Mani Ratnam also contributed his thoughts on the film’s musical score, created by AR Rahman. He described how important the music was in conveying the emotional weight of the violent scenes in “Bombay.” Ratnam noted, “For all the intense moments, we chose music that reflected pain rather than traditional action cues. It was about depicting the heartbreak of a mother searching for her child amidst chaos.” Rahman’s choice of a haunting melody, rather than something more upbeat, underlined the deep emotional undercurrents of the film’s dramatic moments.
In summary, both Menon and Ratnam have reflected on the sensitive nature of “Bombay” and how societal changes could dramatically impact its reception if it were released today.
