20: is Complaint Filed Against Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar’s Film true?

Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) – an association of mobile service providers, broadband service providers and the industry-parties in India – have filed a complaint against the filmmakers of 2.0, which stars Superstar Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar. In the complaint to the Central Board of Film Certification, COAI accuses 2.0 of promoting anti-scientific attitudes towards mobile phones and network towers.

Here’s the copy of the complaint, courtesy of NDTV:

(Courtesy: ndtvimg.com)

(Courtesy: ndtvimg.com)

NOW, SKIP THIS PART. Spoilers Ahead.

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In the movie, makers have shown how cell phone radiation is harming the birds, animals and affecting the environment. The character of Akshay Kumar is an ornithologist, a person who expertise on birds. I haven’t seen the movie myself. But with whatever I have heard, this is the whole premise of 2.0. Akshay is pissed for mobile devices and equipment for harming the birds. So, he’s creating all the ruckus, playing a villain. And Rajinikanth, with all his theatrics as Chitti, is saving the world.

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Taking about the complaint itself, it claims that the makers of 2.0 are promoting anti-scientific sentiment towards mobile phones, towers, and other equipment.

(Courtesy: News18)

Now, without getting into the nitty-gritty of its details, it’s not difficult to assume that the harmful cell phone radiations affect birds, animals and environments just as much as humans. There have been countless articles on this subject. Like this, this, this, and this.

So, in a way, 2.0 is correct on this. But I am sure there are many dimensions to this whole subject. Besides, one must first watch the movie to really conclude how anti-scientific it is. I mean, it can’t be as bad as Highlander II and Solarbabies.

(Courtesy: India TV)

As for the demand of Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) to revoke the certification of 2.0, that’s absurd and won’t be happening. This makes one wonder if it is just a marketing tactic on the movie’s part to garner more mainstream attention. After all, no publicity is bad publicity.