Earlier, the same gauge fell on Indian film actor Aamir Khan and his ill-fated film ‘Fanaa’ under the banner of Dharma Productions. ‘Fanaa’ was prohibited to be screened in Gujarat because of Aamir Khan’s expression of his concern over the rehabilitation of the ones affected by the construction of Sardar Sarovar Dam over river Narmada. The controversy actually stemmed from his visit to activist Medha Patkar as she sat on fast unto death for the rehabilitation of these people.

The Government failed to understand that Aamir Khan tried to convey his views as an individual and not as an actor. One should have kept his reel life separate from his real life. Moreover, the Indian Constitution facilitates every citizen of the country with the fundamental right to the freedom of expression and any violation of the same could call for an action against the violator. Not only was the film banned but even the posters were pulled down and an entire protest was carried out by the Bajrang Dal activists. In fact, it was not only Aamir Khan who suffered the brunt of the agitation but also the co-actress Kajol’s poster in the entire state were pulled down, no matter if it was a hoarding of  a Tata Indicom ad endorsed by Kajol and Ajay Devgan which had nothing to do with the film for a real instance.

A similar case of banning Salman Khan starrer 'Mane Pyar Kyu kiya' took place where incidences of stone pelting on the multiplexes and theatres were also reported. This happened when a sudden information about a telephonic conversation that happened between Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai tapped four years back was suddenly aired on news channels one day before the release of his film. Various groups, without waiting for further investigation of the reality created a hue and cry over the matter and destroyed public and private properties and prohibited the citizens from watching the film.

‘Parzania’ and ‘Firaaq’ were other such movies banned again to be released in the state as they were reportedly inspired from Gujarat riots in 2002. As per Gujarat government, these films could disturb the communal harmony of Gujarat!
 
As quoted by Jaswant Singh: “The day we start banning books, we are banning thinking.”  No one can stop the country men from watching a film or reading a book or in fact, access to any form of art and can cause heavy losses to the traders/actors or even daily earners.  It can be a public prerogative to decide whether they like the facts of the piece of art or dislike them.