`Amar Prem 2' blamed for the Yadav clan rift

Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav are divided over whether `Amar Prem 2' should be party's official entry for the awards in 2017. UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who could not stand the movie, is against the whole idea. 

With the rift in the Samajwadi Party not showing any signs of blowing over, speculation continues over what led to the division within the Yadav family. Tenali Rama has learnt that Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav had difference of opinion over whether `Amar Prem 2' should be the party's official entry for the awards in 2017.

"I agree the original `Amar Prem' was a big hit. It helped us win the Defence ministry trophy in the late 90s, which our Netaji Mulayam Yadav received. Okay, I admit with a bit of manipulation and fixing. But this sequel `Amar Prem 2' is not good. It is the work of an outsider. I was all along against allowing its distribution in Uttar Pradesh,'' explained Akhilesh Yadav in an exclusive chat with Tenali Rama. 

Akhilesh Yadav has received support from uncle Ram Gopal Yadav who said he could not fathom why `Amar Prem' was a hit in the first place. ``I could not stand the movie. But this sequel, is worse and unbearable. It should be thrown out,'' said Ram Gopal Yadav.

But with another uncle Shivpal Yadav insisting on screening of `Amar Prem 2', it is daggers drawn in Lucknow. In a fit of pique, Mulayam made Shivpal in charge of the party in Uttar Pradesh so that he can screen whatever he wants.

"Now Shivpal can have the party in Lucknow, Akhilesh cannot stop it. `Amar Prem 2' has been fixed and it stars Jayaprada as well,'' Mulayam Singh announced to the media.

Opposition parties are critical of the way the Yadav clan cannot even decide on a movie. ``A parivaar that cannot see a movie together, cannot rule together,'' said BSP leader Mayawati.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said he would not have minded watching `Amar Prem 2'.

``Even though it seems like some of the lousy movies our Congress production house produces. I would have got my own khaat with me, in case they did not give me a seat,'' chuckled Rahul Gandhi.

Other party leaders have reminded Rahul Gandhi that the original 'Amar Prem' was not allowed to have a special screening at the Congress party in 2004 even though it was marketed by a veteran distributor from Punjab.

Meanwhile, the makers of `Singh is Kingg 2' have approach Akhilesh Yadav for exemption from entertainment tax, a proposal he has flatly refused. ``Singh is not King,'' he said and threw the file out. 

When Tenali Rama asked SP leader Amar Singh for a reaction, he said, ``kuch to critics kahenge, critics ka kaam hai kehna.'' (Critics will say something because that is their job).

(Tenali Rama is a satirical series by senior journalist TS Sudhir)