Saturday 7 July 2012

Deaddiction by ‘Spirit’ in real life

By Jisha Surya| ENS

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

07th July 2012 07:57 AM

It is time for those who frown upon the state government decision to exempt entertainment tax for the film Spirit to shed their pessimism. Director Ranjith’s Mohan Lalstarrer, now running in theatres to critical acclaim, has had a ‘deaddictive’ effect at least on a small section of people.

The movie made Kochibased agro-commodity exporter Raoof Ali drop his decision to set up a gutka plant in Indonesia with the support of his business partners there.

“The gutka plants owned by some people here got defunct after the government banned gutka sale. It was then we thought of utilising the spare parts by setting up a plant in Indonesia. Spirit made me rethink. There was already a mental block as 20 percent mix of of the product imported from Thailand has an addictive factor. After watching the movie, I decided to drop the project,” said Raoof. Director Ranjith said he is getting similar calls from persons like Raoof.

“I get numerous calls and messages. Some say they quit boozing while others say they are going to limit the consumption. For some, it even forced a second thought on issues like domestic violence,” Ranjith said. So, do films could really change society? “May be not the entire society. If the film could bring change to a single person a single day, that itself is a major change,” Ranjith said.

Incidentally, both the lead actor Mohan Lal and director Ranjith were flayed for glorifying boozing through their movies in the past.

Mohan Lal’s appearance in the advertisement of liquor brand ‘Original Choice’ with a tagline Vaikittentha paripadi was a subject of debate.

Ranjith’s recent directorial ventures such as Pranchiyettan and the Saint, Indian Rupee and the story of the movie Bhaktajangalude Shradhakku had sociallyrelevant messages.

When asked about the change, Ranjith replied, ‘getting older, getting wiser’.

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