Ban Bow Barracks Forever movie, Christians’ cry louder

Resentment over ‘Bow Barracks Forever’ a film supposedly based on the life of Anglo–Indian Christian community in North Kolkata has grown louder and Christian leaders have demanded an immediate ban of the film.

'Bow Barracks Forever' film directed by Anjan Dutta is allegedly depicting Anglo Indians in poor light, a nominated member of the West Bengal assembly Barry O'Brien has demanded a ban on the movie.

O'Brien, an Anglo Indian, took umbrage that the film claims to be based on a true story where, he alleged, that Anglo Indian men were shown as drunkards and women tortured.

"I will continue to push for a ban on the film if the line 'Based on a True Story' is not replaced in the opening credits by 'This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person or community is purely coincidental," O'Brien, who also demanded the ban in the assembly, told reporters at the Bow Barracks yesterday.

Church of North India in Kolkata Bishop Reverend Raju was also disappointed by the ‘poor’ portrayal of the Anglo–Indian community of Bow Barracks.

Father John Noronha of Parish Church said, “I have watched the movie Da Vinci Code with Union Minister Priya Ranjan Das Munshi. I had advised him that the film should be cleared as it is without any cuts. But Anjan Dutta’s film has hurt us. All we want is that they put a disclaimer that the film is a ‘work of fiction’ and not ‘based on a true story’.”

O’Brien wants the disclaimer to be ‘this is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person or community is purely coincidental’.

"Every community has its good and bad. The Anglo–Indian and Christian communities are no exception," O'Brien added.

He said the community was compelled to react strongly to a film made by a person who had always maintained that he loved and cared for the community.

The residents also alleged that the director and actors of the film were 'misusing' the goodwill of the community by forming a band known as 'Bow Street Blues' and arranging an 'Anglo Indian Food festival' at a posh restaurant here.

"This is for commercial gain and not out of love and concern for us," they alleged.

Meanwhile, O'Brien also said that the Anglo–Indian MLAs of Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand had assured him to take up the matter in their states.