A couple days ago I wrote about an upcoming Bollywood movie titled "Dear Friend Hitler" that will chronicle the ill-fated romance between Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun. Although filming isn't scheduled to begin until August, today the New York Times reported that lead actor Anupam Kher, who was going to play Hitler, has pulled out of the production. On his Twitter account Kher wrote: "Sometimes human emotions are more important than cinema," later adding in an interview published by Reuters: "I have never been moved by commercial considerations, but I have always respected social opinions." Kher was referring to the fact that the film has been drawing intense criticism. "Whoever is making this film is doing so with ignorant, if not more sinister motives," said Jonathan Solomon, the chairman of the Indian Jewish Federation, "They are hurting the feelings of a community that has suffered a great deal."
The production of "Dear Friend Hitler" has brought to light a perplexing trend in India: an apparently increasing interest in Hitler. According to a recent Times article, Indians are "fascinated" by the Nazi leader, who chose the swastika (an ancient Hindu symbol) as the emblem of his movement. A recent Gawker post noted that Hitler's autobiography, Mein Kampf, is "flying off the shelves" with an increase of 10% to 15% in book sales among "affluent" "young people" who view Hitler as a "legend." In the words of a 19-year-old student: "I have idolized Hitler ever since I have had a sense of history. I admire his leadership qualities and his discipline."
I hope the opinion expressed above is a minority one.
What do you think about the production of "Dear Friend Hitler?"
Recognition that this monster ever existed will only end as did the Klu Kluz Klan, his clone. Why anyone would want to see a film about an ugly twisted mind is beyond my ability to comprehend.
I am a Christian friend of Israel and Jews the world over. As such, I am opposed to any creative expression (film, books, TV) that idolizes or glamorizes evil men and their depraved, inhuman actions. My concern today is that so many uniformed young people are starting to view Hitler as some sort of hero or role model. We must join together to inform and educate. The man was a demon…the world needs to be reminded of that.
I think a lot of things about this but mostly it is scary to me.
I am stunned that the young people would idolize that sick minded, twisted demon. Power can be wonderful but not when it’s used to destroy.
There’s absolutely nothing wonderful or glamorous about Hitler or his dirty deeds. Maybe the young people should watch the movie- Forty-eight ways to kill Hitler. Hitler’s own people were trying to devise ways to kill that monster.
I pray that somehow there will be light shed for the young folks that they see things for what they really are. We don’t need a foolish movie like this to put salt on the wounds of people who’ve had a hard enough time in this life as it is.
In spite of my very Irish-sounding name, I am a Jew in my head and my heart. It has always been thus. And it will continue to always be thus.
Owing to a series of bizarre life circumstances, I have been living in Paris, France for the last 26 years where I wrote and published a novel that one liberal Jew here called a “paean” to Judaism after reading it. And he would be right.
France is a relatively short train ride from Germany, as everyone knows. In spite of this, I have never set foot in the place, and I never will, even if someone were to offer me an all expenses paid, first-class stay there.
That someone from India would ever dare to produce a kind of sentimental movie about the most vicious monster in all of human history is unfathomable. Alas, India is now stricken from the list of countries to be visited … as is Germany.
I subscribe to the doctrine of NEVER FORGIVE AND NEVER FORGET.
I also subscribe to another doctrine that I would like to share with my Israeli brethen at this time, when they find themselves under heavy and wrong-headed criticism over the recent event in Gaza:
THE TERRITORY BELONGS TO HE SHE OR THEY WHO CAN DEFEND IT.
Now, BE STRONG … LET US BE STRONG!
Shalom,
Michael McGinnis
Hitler was murdering swine, no doubt. He must always be remebered so that others of his breed can always be seen and seen to. He is n ot the only genicidal maniac in history either, there have been dozens from the Pharoes through Pol Pot and Idi Armin right up to todays Osama Bin Laden.
Lily. The Ku Klux Klan were around long before Hitler. They started out as “The Knights Of The White Camelia just after the American civil war
Your article, while shocking, is (sadly) not surprising. Worldwide, the truth about the most evil people ever born, will be lost unless we make certain it is remembered; unless the true stories about them are told with revulsion and horror. Hitler is certainly at the head of that ugly group which includes many other people of all races, religions and nationalities, such as Pol Pot in Cambodia.
the title” ‘Dear Fiend Hitler’ comes from the contents of the two letters Gandhi wrote to Hiter. Gandhi had rejected the idea of achieving freedom from the British rule with the help of Hitler though both had common enemies. The first letter requested Hitler to stop the war while the second posed to him the unique preachers of non violence. He wrote that we seek to convert our enemies not defeat them on the battlefield.’Dear Friend Hitler’ is based on two ideologies : Gandhiji’s peace and Hitler’s violence. According to producer Anil K. Sharma ‘Dear Friend Hitler’ shows the clash of ideologies of the world’s two of the most talked about personalities of the era , Adolf Hitler and Mahatma Gandhi. Hitler believed in violence while Gandhiji in non violence. Nalin Singh Script writer said the
Unlike many of his countrymen he had rejected the idea of achieving freedom from the British rule with the help of Hitler though both had common enemies. In Gandhi’s view a violent winner is bound to be defeated by a superior force in the end. And even the memory of victory painted by the blood of violence is violent in nature.
Hitler had advised Lord Halifax in 1938 to kill all Indian leaders including Gandhi so that Indian people gave up all hope of independence. But it was typical of Gandhi to remain friendly towards his own would be killer and hence he addressed him as “dear friend.”
Yes Meenu, the origin of the title for this film was explained in the previous post.
This movie is not a sentimental portrait at all!! Please people, don’t be so shallow. At least do a google before doing a Rosanna Dana. This movie shows the clash of idealogies and denounces the violent one! The title taken from the letter Gandhi addressed to Hitler begging him to stop the war!
According to producer Anil K. Sharma ‘Dear Friend Hitler’ shows the clash of ideologies of the world’s two of the most talked about personalities of the era , Adolf Hitler and Mahatma Gandhi. Hitler believed in violence while Gandhiji in non violence.
So , now I ask, which ideology won, which one do you support, identify with? Railing against a movie because if its name does not fit with a non-violent ideology.
I have no problem with this production so long as Hitler is portrayed as the insane controling freak he was and Ava as what ever she was.
The youth of india should realize that they too would have become his victums as did the jews because they do not fit the Arian image. They would have been exterminated because of the colors of their skin. Recall what he did in referance to african atheletes
Dear Hitler
Well what can I say to you but this. You murdered over six million people some of them my family. Now some foolish self center people desires to make a film of you and your unrequited love.
Well dear Adolf for me your love it was displayed around the world seventy years ago, your passion was shouted out the world mourned and cried. You raged on and people died this is the truth the legacy of your life your lies. So now for money some selfish fool seeks to make a film of you and your true love. All for moneys sake. And people have forgotten what you did what your true legacy has done.
Poor poor Adolf and your friend I will speak out with a voice so clear each time I hear of such a thing as this. Sham sham shame on anyone who will defend such a travesty. Sincerely yours
JGLord
i think its a waste of time and money for some !!! who was a monster of a time and place !
Eva Braun must have been soome sort of sexual pervert, because Hitler certainly was. Read his early life. It is too disgusting for me to go into here.
All saner elements know that Hitler was a deadly killer of humanity. I don’t know in what wisdom the Bollywood wants this monster to be seen as romantic hero. If it goes on then it will certainly hurt the feelings of not only millions but billions.
I’m an Indian 28 years old. I come from a mixed family – my father being a muslim and my mother a christian. And I do not idolize Hitler. I have a brother who is 20 years old has read Mein Kampf and doesn’t look up to Hilter. And the same goes with the friends I know.
Its only a minority of people in India who subscribe to the Nazi ideology – especially the far right.
I guess this whole rage is due to misinterpretation. The movie tells about the conflicting ideologies of Hitler and Gandhi Ji. Obviously majority of my compatriots support the non-violent views of our great leader.
I agree ‘Mein kempf’ is quite popular in India, but you should accredit more to the curiosity of youth. I have read the ‘Mein Kempf’ abridged version. It has no sense, it was written in severe emotional breakdown. He speaks of ideologies but nothing connects. He might be good speaker, but he was pathetic person and shall always be condemned.
Well, considering that all the laws in the USA are an almost exact duplicate of laws of early Germany; and that a lot of medical and technological breakthroughs – particularly in what is now modern computer/radio technological advancements – all originated in Germany, not to mention some aspects of propulsion and chemistry (e.g., helium) – I do wonder what legacy will the Bush administration offer future historians as they examine the toppling of a little, but well-known leader in Baghdad in contrast to the “evil” German empire. Oh – and of the civil rights that all Americans shared with Blacks that were invited here to help build “this” great nation. Mmm, I wonder – who really ARE the monsters? It is perplexing at best, to decipher that these “modern” events of the USA’s land and resource occupation tactics, will be subjected the same representation and interpretation as those of leaders of our present and past. After all, Bush nor any American leader represents the feelings embedded in my heart – so why would Hitler represent the same for countless of innocent Germans who had nothing to do with the atrocities of any of their wars which were initiated by powers to which no one truly knows the truth about.
If anyone plays Hitler…..it should be Hugh Laurie….he is perfect for the job….he could act that part very well..and look the part too, with the right make up.