Actor-filmmaker Ajay Devgn, who awaits the release of his Shivaay directorial venture, says the Indian film industry is scared of politics because if a person speaks up against any political party, his film will be prevented from releasing.
On October 28 in India (October 27 in the UAE), Shivaay will clash at the box office with filmmaker Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, which is currently in the news for featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.
Earlier, popular Bollywood celebrities such as Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan had faced a backlash on their remarks on intolerance. Even filmmaker Mukesh Bhatt said recently that he will not work with Pakistani actors.
When asked whether it is nationalism or fear that ‘s giving rise to such statements, Devgn said: “Both. When it comes to nationalism, as I said, I stand by the country. When it comes to politics, an industry man gets a little scared. He gets scared because if today you say anything against a group, your film will be stopped, something will happen”.
“We are very vulnerable where politics is concerned. Where nationalism is concerned, I don’t think it [Bollywood] is divided ... We want to stay away from politics because we are vulnerable.
“But when it comes about the nation, there I stand by it. But when politics is concerned, sometimes you say it, but most of the time you stay quiet because of fear,” he added.
Devgn along with his wife, Kajol, on Saturday took part in programme Manthan Aaj Tak to talk about the current political scenario in Bollywood and Pakistani actors.
Devgn feels the film industry is one place where religion has never been the issue.
“Nobody can deny [that the] one good thing about the industry is we never had any issues with religion. We have Hindus, Muslims, Parsis, Christians; everybody working under one roof. We celebrate every festivals together. We never had any problem in our industry. If films can influence the society then it should begin from here,” he said.
“Film industry is divided like our society, but when religion is concerned we are not divided,” he added.
Like many in the industry, Devgn also says that until tensions between India and Pakistan get better, he will not work with any artist from that side of the border.
“I have worked with Pakistani actors, but right now the situation is such that we have to stand by our nation. I hope that the problem gets solved. [Until] then I will not work with them,” he said.
“They have also banned our films as they are standing by their nation. We should also stand by our nation, but instead we are fighting against each other,” the Singham actor said.
He added: “In my life the best music was given in the film Kachche Dhaage by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. All the songs were nice in that film.”
