Jewish Rights Organization Calls for Removal of Varun Dhawan’s Film “Bawaal” Over Holocaust Controversy

Varun Dhawan’s latest film “Bawaal” has found itself embroiled in a controversy for its use of the Holocaust as a backdrop to depict marital discord. The Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC), an organization dedicated to preserving the memory of Holocaust victims, has strongly criticized the movie for what it calls a “banal trivialization” of the immense suffering endured by millions. The SWC has urged Prime Video, the platform hosting the film, to take it down immediately.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, renowned for his work on “Dangal,” the movie revolves around a high school history teacher, Ajay Dixit (played by Varun Dhawan), and his wife Nisha (portrayed by Jahnvi Kapoor), as they embark on a Europe tour. During their journey, they visit significant World War 2 sites, including Auschwitz and Anne Frank’s home in Amsterdam. The film delves into graphic depictions of the Holocaust, including scenes where the protagonists find themselves inside a gas chamber in Auschwitz, dressed in striped clothing, and suffocating.

The SWC expressed deep concern over the movie’s use of the Holocaust as a mere plot device, calling it an “outlandish abuse” of one of history’s darkest chapters. Rabbi Abraham Cooper, SWC Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action, emphasized that “Auschwitz is not a metaphor; it is a quintessential example of man’s capacity for evil.” The film’s portrayal of Hitler as a metaphor for human greed further fueled criticism.

In response to the controversy, Tiwari defended his approach, stating that he carefully incorporated historical incidents to shape the characters’ development and relationships. Nevertheless, the SWC remains adamant that the film’s usage of the Holocaust is deeply inappropriate and disrespectful to the memory of the six million Jews and countless others who suffered under Hitler’s genocidal regime.

As the debate continues, the call for action against the film intensifies. The SWC insists that Amazon Prime, the platform’s parent company, should refrain from profiting off the movie and should remove it from their offerings immediately. However, neither Prime Video nor Nitesh Tiwari have responded to the media’s inquiries regarding the matter.

“Bawaal” was set to premiere on Prime Video on July 21, but with the mounting pressure from the SWC and other critics, the fate of the movie’s online release remains uncertain.