Following the trend set by the Kashmir Files, in the trail of Sudipto Sen’s The Kerala Story, an upcoming film, 72 Hoorain has become the talk of the town. Ever since the creators launched the trailer, 72 Hoorain has become a prime target for allegations and a source of controversy. Centred around Islamophobic extremism, 72 Hoorain revolves around a terrorist gang that brainwashes the Muslim youth. Their plan of action, namely tantalizing the youth with a promise of 72 Hoorain aka 72 beautiful women after death, has proved to be a fruitful strategy for propagating their sick mindset.
After luring the youth to kill non-Muslims in the name of promoting Jihad, the terrorist outfits turn them into suicide bombers and wipe away the trace of their crime. As soon as the trailer was released, questions regarding 72 Hoorain based on a true story have become popular. If you are wondering about the same, you are in the right spot!
Is 72 Hoorain Based On A True Story?
Directed and edited by Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan, 72 Hoorain is scheduled to hit theatres on July 7, 2023. The film was originally broadcasted at the International Film Festival of India in 2019 but due to Covid-19 and other circumstances, the theatrical release was delayed. However, the makers seem eager to terminate the wait and broadcast 72 Hoorain in 10 different languages nationwide. While their plans seem to be huge for the film, the International release date hasn’t been specified yet.
The film is certainly creating an uproar in the film industry due to its unapologetic stance on Islamic terrorism. As the director believes, the film is centred around terrorism, adding any caste perspective to it is subject to perception. In his statement, he didn’t officially confirm that the film is based on a true story. However, given Chauhan’s outlook on the film and his statements, 72 Hoorain seems to be based on a true story. It is centred around cold-blooded terrorists such as Osama bin Laden, Yakoob Memon and Masood Azhar as the trailer suggests.
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72 Hoorain Sparks Controversy In The Wake Of The Kerala Story
The inferno lit by The Kerala Story hasn’t properly dwindled yet and we have yet another film to add gasoline to the flame. In the span of three years, Bollywood has produced three consecutive Islamophobic films and each of them has caused a commotion in the community. 72 Hoorain, similar to The Kerala Story and The Kashmir Files, has been accused to be a propaganda film. Netizens believe the film is targeting a certain community and is purposefully showcasing Muslims in abominable light.
The trailer portrays scenes of suicide bombers from working-class Muslim households surrendering to the beliefs instilled in them by sadistic terrorists. Controversy has sparked on the trailer’s portrayal of these suicide bombers as greedy Muslims aspiring to meet the 72 Hoorain and enter heaven. While religion does support such beliefs, it is portrayed contrastingly. The promise to grant 72 Hoorain in the afterlife is made in the holy book, Quran, for the people who have rightfully obeyed the religion throughout their lives.
The Timing Of 72 Hoorain Is Criticized
The film first premiered at the 2019 International Film Festival of India and garnered critical acclaim from film critics. However, despite the powerful and punchy storyline, the movie has been subjected to criticism due to several factors. We have discussed a few major complaints from the film above and here we have one more.
If the film has been completed in 2019, why didn’t the makers release it earlier? Covid-19 struck the world a few months later and while the makers haven’t used the pandemic as an excuse, people have been using it to defend the timing of 72 Hoorain. Just a couple of months earlier, a film along the same story realm took Bollywood by storm. Did Chauhan deliberately choose the timeframe to take full advantage of the popularity garnered by the genre? Critics have multiple questions along the same domain, resulting in 72 Hoorain being criticized once again.
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Is 72 Hoorain Denied Censor Certificate?
Written by Anil Pandey, the film has a long list of cast members and producers. It possesses everything from action to controversy, just not a censor certificate for its trailer. While 72 Hoorain is verified by the censor board, its trailer, which is the source of extreme criticism, is not certified. Before the trailer of the film premiered on 28 June 2023, rumours regarding the film not being censored had been gaining traction on Twitter.
A while later, the rumours were confirmed partially. The release of an uncensored trailer becomes one more negative point for the film. Neither the producer nor the directors have clarified their take on the topic despite appearing in several interviews. However, they have objectified the decision of the Central Board of Film Certification but CBFC is yet to process the claim.
What Does The Director Have To Say About 72 Hoorain?
Call it a propaganda film or a religion-targeting story, the director believes, these accusations will dwindle upon the release of the film. Since the co-director, Ashoke Pandit is a Kashmiri Pandit (a monk from Kashmir), he has been at the centre of the centuries-long push-and-pull between the Hindu and the Muslim communities. He shares his experience in the film through the characters, Hakim Ali (Pavan Malhotra) and Aamir Bashir (Bilal Ahmed) in the film which garnered the national award of best direction for him in 2021.
When asked about 72 Hoorain stereotyping a certain community, Sanjay mentions that the film isn’t about stereotyping or promoting propaganda, it is about highlighting terrorism. It is centred around liberating people from embracing such a backward mindset. Chauhan wants to paint a picture of the tactics used by the most-wanted extremists. Whether his efforts would prove to be fruitful or futile depends on the film, which Chauhan has been proudly boasting about.
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72 Hoorain Is Becoming A Political Issue
Well, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out why 72 Hoorain is becoming a political issue. India, being hailed for its diverse religious and regional values, is now divided in two; people who believe 72 Hoorain is a take on religion and people who believe it to be attacking a certain community. Though Chauhan has promised the film to not be a provocative tale, controversies cannot be halted and neither can politics.
Some of the well-acclaimed political figures have condemned the film and accused it to be a hurtful movie. Their accusations and assumptions are based on the alleged trailer. Though Chauhan hasn’t walked down that lane yet, he has urged everyone to watch the film before criticizing it. He understands the film is centred around sensitive matters and wants to prove that he hasn’t made a film about Islamophobia but about terrorism.
Will 72 Hoorain Be Denied Theatrical Release?
With the political figures now revolting against the film, several people have come forward to voice out their concerns regarding 72 Hoorain being denied a theatrical release. This doesn’t seem to be the case yet though. CBCS has greenlit the film by certifying it and the film board has scheduled 72 Hoorain to release on July 7, 2023. The makers are dedicated to the promotional campaign and the cast members are excited to watch their creative creation being accepted by the audience.
Releasing in 10 languages throughout India, 72 Hoorain has garnered enough popularity and support to not be condemned. Updates regarding the international release haven’t been made available by the makers yet.
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Is 72 Hoorain Based On A True Story: FAQs
It is centred around the terrorists, Hakim Ali (Pavan Malhotra) and Bilal Ahmed (Aamir Bashir). They are brainwashed by extremists such as Yakoob Memon, Osama bin Laden and Masood Azhar.
The film is directed by Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan popularly known for his film, Lahore.
Yes, it is based on a true story.
72 Hoorain is accused to be a propaganda film due to its portrayal of Islamic terrorism.
72 Hoorain will hit theatres on July 7, 2023.
The online streaming platform hasn’t been confirmed by the makers yet.
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