Bollywood reacts to Ram Gopal Varma’s Taj tour

Dec 3, 2008

It was in the year 2003 when Vilasrao Deshmukh was asked to resign from the post of Maharashtra Chief Minister and history repeats itself in 2008! Interestingly, there is one common factor that binds the two resignations. Way back in 2003, it was Sonia Gandhi who asked Deshmukh to furnish a resignation. Reason: Deshmukh’s son, Riteish, was making a Bollywood debut and the minister with his Mantralaya officials was doing his bit to make Tujhe Meri Kasam rock at the box office. From CM’s public relations officials to his Congressmen, from party activists to police inspectors and ward officers all were reportedly roped in for the star studded premiere at the IMAX dome in Wadala, Mumbai. While Cable TV operators were warned against showing pirated versions of the movie, television promos and the many billboards in the city made sure that the movie does not go unnoticed. Most say, that all these hoardings were not funded for by the film’s producer. If this wasn’t enough, the chief minister, with his powerful influence got the who’s who to attend the grand premiere of the movie that was held at Imax Adlabs, Mumbai.It was then that Deshmukh was asked to resign citing reason that he employed political machinery for such an affair. And this time around, Riteish plays a major role once again behind Deshmukh’s resignation.

Incidentally, while on his first visit inside the devastated Taj, Deshmukh turned up with Bollywood star-son Riteish and director- friend Ram Gopal Varma for company. The trio then went to Trident as well. The spectacle raised questions of how concerned a CM Vilas Rao Deshmukh was. People saw a dash of casualness in the demeanor of the Chief Minister of a city that was trying to recuperate from the devastating terror attacks. Rumours that RGV and Riteish were at the spot for a research for their forthcoming flick Rann, further bruised the sensitive issue with the masses. And the result is for all to see. With Deshmukh being asked to step down from his kursi twice in the span of 5 years, is it the end of his political career? We wonder!