Controversial Film ‘Bawaal’ Stirs Global Backlash: Accusations Of Trivializing Holocaust Sparks Outrage

Mumbai, 29th July 2023: The release of the film “Bawaal,” starring Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, has been surrounded by controversy and negative attention. Critics have accused the movie of trivializing the suffering of the Holocaust victims. Even the Ambassador of Israel to India, Naor Gilon, expressed his disappointment with the film on Twitter. Although he hasn’t watched “Bawaal” himself, he urged those unfamiliar with the Holocaust to educate themselves about its horrors.

The Israeli embassy in India also issued a statement condemning the movie, stating that they were disturbed by how the Holocaust’s significance was trivialized in “Bawaal.” They pointed out that certain terminologies and symbols were poorly chosen, even though they assumed no malicious intent. They, too, encouraged people to educate themselves about the true horrors of the Holocaust.

In “Bawaal,” there are scenes where Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor’s characters visit a gas chamber in Auschwitz. The dream-like sequence in the gas chamber shows them struggling to breathe, and Janhvi’s character makes a statement equating human greed to Hitler and mentions “Auschwitz” in a metaphorical context.

Despite the controversy, Varun Dhawan defended the film in an interview with Pinkvilla. He questioned the selective sensitivity of some viewers, pointing out that similar themes and scenes in English films often receive less backlash. The film’s director, Nitesh Tiwari, also stood by his creation, expressing disappointment with the way some people interpreted it.

In conclusion, “Bawaal” has faced criticism for its handling of the Holocaust subject matter, leading to discussions on the responsible portrayal of sensitive historical events in movies.