In the outpouring of grief over last month's terror attacks in Mumbai, the response of one member of the film fraternity struck a jarring note. Director Ram Gopal Verma visited the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower hotel the day after the attacks with the Maharashtra chief minister, to inspect the blackened and charred interiors.
Varma incurred outrage and scorn for his visit, forcing him to apologise. 'Is this a sight-seeing jaunt? He's not a member of the government with any responsibility for the city so what business does he have going there? Planning a movie on the disaster?' asked Mumbai boutique manager Karina Advani.
Apart from this incident, Bollywood has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the city, attending protest marches against political incompetence and lighting candles in a gesture of grief.
During the 60-hour siege of Mumbai, which started on November 26, 10 Islamic militants attacked multiple targets including the Taj and Oberoi hotels. More than 180 people were killed; of these 26 were foreigners.
These hotels are the playing grounds of Bollywood stars. The porch outside the Taj is always filled with fans hoping to catch a glimpse of a film star walking into the lobby.
Many in the industry had narrow escapes. Others lost friends and relatives. Actor Ashish Chaudhary's sister Monica was killed at the Oberoi. Actor Anupam Kher's friend Karambir Kang, the Taj general manager, lost his wife and two children in the hotel fire.
