3 reasons why the filmmakers of Bawaal chose to use Auschwitz as a backdrop

"Every relationship goes through their Auschwitz."

Auschwitz concentration camp was a complex of over 40 concentration and extermination camps operated by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland...read more

The Bollywood movie Bawaal made Auschwitz into a lesson on romance by using the concentration camp as a backdrop to explore the themes of love, loss, and resilience. In one scene, the protagonist, played by Varun Dhawan, visits Auschwitz and is struck by the words of a Holocaust survivor, who says that he never really loved his wife (Janhavi Kapoor as Nisha Dixit) until they were separated at the camp. This line leads the protagonist to reflect on his own relationship and to realize that he has never truly appreciated his partner until now.

The use of Auschwitz as a backdrop for a love story is controversial, and some people have criticized the film for trivializing the Holocaust. However, the filmmakers argue that they are using the camp to explore the universal themes of love and loss, and that they are not trying to make light of the Holocaust.

The director of Bawaal, Nitesh Tiwari, has defended the line, saying that it was meant to be a metaphor for the challenges that all relationships face. He said that he did not mean to offend anyone, and that he was simply trying to show the power of love.

Ultimately, whether or not the use of Auschwitz in Bawaal is appropriate is a matter of opinion. However, there is no doubt that the film has sparked a conversation about the relationship between love and loss, and about the power of love to endure even in the face of great adversity.

Despite of confirming by the Director himself, here also might be 3 of the reasons why the filmmakers of Bawaal chose to use Auschwitz as a backdrop for a love story:

1. Auschwitz is a place of great suffering and loss, but it is also a place of great love and resilience. The filmmakers wanted to explore the power of love to overcome even the most difficult challenges.
2. Auschwitz is a place that is often associated with death, but the filmmakers wanted to show that love can also be found in death. The Holocaust survivor's words in the film suggest that he only truly appreciated his wife after she was gone.
3. Auschwitz is a place that is often seen as a symbol of hate, but the filmmakers wanted to show that love can also be a powerful force for good. The protagonist's journey in the film is one of self-discovery and redemption, and he ultimately finds love and happiness.

The controversy surrounding the line in Bawaal also highlights the importance of context. When we use words, we need to be aware of the setting and the audience. In this case, the line was used in a film that was set in Auschwitz. This context made the line even more sensitive and controversial.

Whether or not the use of Auschwitz in Bawaal is appropriate is a matter of opinion. However, there is no doubt that the film has sparked a conversation about the relationship between love and loss, and about the power of love to endure even in the face of great adversity.

What are your thoughts on this controversy? According to you what else may be the reason to use Auschwitz as a backdrop?