Sunil Dutt criticises film industry

Actor-turned-politician Sunil Dutt chided the film industry for remaining silent, despite a verbal attack on two leading film personalities -- Dilip Kumar and Shabana Azmi - by fundamentalist groups.

Speaking at the concluding function of the fourth international film festival in Bombay, he criticised the film fraternity for not raising their voice when a group staged an 'indecent demonstration' in front of Dilip Kumar's residence for his candid expression on a film.

Dutt was apparently referring to Shiv Sainiks protest at the thespian's residence.

"It was only a point of view and no one has the right to suppress an opinion," he says.

Dutt also points out that versatile actress Azmi, who had won critical acclaim for her roles in various films, has been described as a 'nachnewali and ganewali' by the head of a religious group in a popular television programme aired by a leading satellite channel.

"The derogatory remark has brought to nought all the achievements of artistes in a single swipe. Why are we treated this way?" he asks and urges the film industry to unite together and raise their voices against such attacks.

The veteran actor recounts that it was late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who had accorded respect and recognition to the film artistes during his tenure.

PTI