Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s ‘Miyan Kal Aana’ hits a hurdle

Bollywood films are not new to controversy. The last being Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Padmaavat’, but this time it is a short film that is stirring the controversy pot. Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s short film, ‘Miyan Kal Aana’, based on the Halala law is gaining much criticism from Muslim clerics, accusing the actor and director, Siddiqui’s brother, Shamas Nawab Siddiqui of ‘cheap publicity’.

Asian Age reports that ‘Miyan Kal Aana’ revolves around the practice of “Nikah Halala”, where an woman is compelled to marry another man and consummate their marriage, if they would like to go back to their previous husband after divorce. The protagonist divorces his wife and regrets the decisions, and in order to be with her again, she will have to go through “Halala.”

Maulana Abdul Siddiqui of Barabanki said, “This actor is working in films even though Islam does not allow it. Now he is making films that show our religion in poor light. Halala was established to provide support to a woman after she is divorced and the actor is twisting facts.” Deoband cleric Maulana Nadeem-Ul-Wajidi also said, “The meaning of Halala Nikah has been completely twisted . People believe that it forces a woman to sleep with a man other than her husband but it actually gives her the right to marry a man of her choice. What is so wrong in that? But some sections and these ill-informed filmmakers just showcase everything in a different light to get cheap popularity.”

Director Shamas is not worried, saying he has been a witness to these incidents, saying, “These clerics even criticized the ban on instant triple talaq. There is a message in our film that highlights an evil so rampantly prevalent in our society. I am a resident of rural Muzaffarnagar and I have been a witness to these incidents. I feel this must be brought in front of the world.”