Christians, Jews upset with Rahman's 'Hosanna'

Prateik and Amy Jackson are very busy these days promoting their upcoming film Ekk Deewana Tha, directed by Gautham Menon. Oscar winner AR Rahman has composed the music of the film.

The latest catchy number from Ekk Deewana Tha titled Hosanna has run into trouble. The Catholic-Christian Secular Forum (CSF) is extremely upset with the use of wordHosanna in the song. CSF has taken up the issue with authorities concerned and wants the song to be withdrawn.

CSF also plans to launch a public agitation if no action is taken against the song. In a complaint to the music director, besides others concerned like Fox Star Studio and Sony Music, CSF has demanded an apology. According to the complaint, the song has hurt not only Christian, but also Jewish religious sentiments, Hosanna being a prayer for both communities.

Joseph Dias, CSF general secretary said, "We are not going into the lyrics or vulgar picturisation of the song, which is also objectionable. However, would like to point out that internationally Hosanna is a prayer in the Bible and used by both Jews and Christians, referring to God or Jesus Christ, with strong reverential and religious connotations."

Dias further adds, "To use it in a movie where the boy, falls in love with a girl, who belongs to an orthodox Malayali Christian family where watching movies, partying or falling in love are completely taboo, is mocking and ridiculing the faith of the person. If you would not use Islamic, Hindu or prayers from any other religion in pop secular music, then why do you use Hosanna."

Last month, CSF and other community groups complained against the poster of the filmWho's There - Kaun Hai Waha. Director, producer and others concerned had to spend days in custody in Mumbai following police action.

Gautham Menon is a noted south Indian film director. The film is produced by Reshma Ghatala, Venkat Somasundaram and Javed Akhtar being the lyricist.

Let's wait and watch whether Rahman and Menon withdraw the song or can think of a midway for truce. The film will hit the screens on 17 February, 2012.