Nitesh Tiwari’s film “Bawaal” has been streamed on Prime Video since July 21st. Starring Janhavi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan, the film tells the story of a couple and their rusty love set against the backdrop of World War II. The film has received mixed reviews from moviegoers and critics due to its references to the Holocaust, the present day, and the road to salvation.
The film compares the marital struggles of a failed marriage to the horrific crimes against humanity experienced by Jews at Auschwitz, the largest concentration camp in Nazi Germany. This analogy was not well received, as many people expressed their opinions about the film and were critical of this particular dialogue in particular.
Indulging in the film’s references to Hitler and World War II during the trailer preview at an event in Dubai, Nitesh said, “As we see events and incidents, character arcs can play an important role in the overall storyline of the characters and their relationships.” And while it’s not just about Hitler, there’s a lot more that you may not have seen in the trailer, but all, every incident is carefully chosen with the potential to impact the whole thread. “
He added, “World War II was hard, so many things happened. You probably can’t take it all in. You have to pick the ones that are likely to affect the journey of the characters.”
The use of concentration camp metaphors in the recently released Hindi-language film ‘Bawaal’ has sparked controversy and outrage among viewers. As the debate continues, many question the filmmaker’s responsibility for dealing with sensitive issues and argue that the entertainment industry should be more considerate.
The Auschwitz concentration camp was one of the most notorious massacre sites where over one million Jews and other ethnic minorities were systematically exterminated by the Nazis. For many people, the mere mention of Auschwitz in a fictional context is highly offensive and downplays the unimaginable suffering of its victims.
Criticism spread quickly and widely, with survival groups, historians, and various religious groups denouncing the film’s ruthlessness. They argue that it is insensitive and disrespectful to use the Holocaust, a historical tragedy of unprecedented scale, as a mere means of intrigue in a fictional setting.
In this film, which was specially allowed to be filmed in a concentration camp, there is a scene in which the main characters enter the gas chambers. He suffocates with pesticide while wearing striped clothes.
Hitler is also used as a metaphor for human greed in the film, where the main character, Aju, says to his wife:
“We’re all a bit like Hitler, aren’t we?”
Despite the controversy, the film was well received by critics. The strong story, coupled with the masterful cinematography and haunting music, received praise from the critics. The director’s uncompromising approach to storytelling and willingness to tackle difficult subjects has been admired by those who disagree with the film’s message.
‘Bawaal’ is a love story produced by Sajid Nadiadwala’s production banner Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment in partnership with Ashwini Iyer Tiwari and Nitesh Tiwari’s Earthski Pictures.
