The magnetism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not spared audiences turning out for Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. A 5.30-minute video singing the praises of the prime minister and the Centre's achievements is playing during the interval of Sooraj Barjatya's latest movie at several multiplex chains across the country, including PVR Cinemas and Inox.
The video is the brainchild of Central Board of Film Certification chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani. It is an expanded version of his recent Mera Desh Hai Mahaan, Mera Desh Hai Jawan. Nihalani has dedicated the video to the prime minister rather than the nation that he has been elected to lead. Nihalani, who is also a movie producer and distributor, had previously made a campaign video for the Bharatiya Janata Party before the 2014 general election, called Har Har Modi.
Nihalani's latest paean to the man he calls his “action hero” is, like the prime minister itself, in election campaign mode. It appears to have been made to coincide with the Bihar election, since it prominently features popular Bhojpuri singer and actor Dinesh Lal Yadav "Nirahua" and other personalities from Bhojpuri cinema. The video, directed by Munesh Rawat, celebrates the achievements of Modi and name-checks the various schemes his government has introduced.
The song compares Modi to Mahatma Gandhi. Burly men representing India's multi-faith diversity pound their chests and declare their love for the prime minister, alongside a montage of Modi's various meetings with world leaders. In one meme-worthy moment, Modi, or a likeness of him (perhaps the hologram he used during his 2014 prime ministerial campaign) is shown meditating on the top of an icy mountain.
Nihalani did not respond to a text message request for information from Scroll.in about why the clip is being screened during shows of the movie, which stars Salman Khan and Sonam Kapoor.
The video is the brainchild of Central Board of Film Certification chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani. It is an expanded version of his recent Mera Desh Hai Mahaan, Mera Desh Hai Jawan. Nihalani has dedicated the video to the prime minister rather than the nation that he has been elected to lead. Nihalani, who is also a movie producer and distributor, had previously made a campaign video for the Bharatiya Janata Party before the 2014 general election, called Har Har Modi.
Nihalani's latest paean to the man he calls his “action hero” is, like the prime minister itself, in election campaign mode. It appears to have been made to coincide with the Bihar election, since it prominently features popular Bhojpuri singer and actor Dinesh Lal Yadav "Nirahua" and other personalities from Bhojpuri cinema. The video, directed by Munesh Rawat, celebrates the achievements of Modi and name-checks the various schemes his government has introduced.
The song compares Modi to Mahatma Gandhi. Burly men representing India's multi-faith diversity pound their chests and declare their love for the prime minister, alongside a montage of Modi's various meetings with world leaders. In one meme-worthy moment, Modi, or a likeness of him (perhaps the hologram he used during his 2014 prime ministerial campaign) is shown meditating on the top of an icy mountain.
Nihalani did not respond to a text message request for information from Scroll.in about why the clip is being screened during shows of the movie, which stars Salman Khan and Sonam Kapoor.
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