Filmmakers returning National Awards brave act: Mahesh Bhatt
November 05, 2015 20:07
Mahesh Bhatt has lauded the 36 filmmakers, who have returned their National Awards in support of protesting FTII students and against the growing environment of intolerance in the country.
Today 24 more names from the film fraternity including noted filmmakers Kundan Shah, Saeed Mirza and writer Arundhati Roy returned their National Awards, joining 12 other noted names from the movie business like Dibakar Banerjee and Anand Patwardan.
The "award wapsi" campaign has faced criticism from some sections, who call it selective protest.
Bhatt, 67, said that those criticising this move are entitled to their opinion.
"Filmmakers returning their National Awards is a brave act. I find nothing wrong in it. They as citizens of India are entitled to express their dissent through the means they choose. If this is how they want to express their unhappiness about the existing atmosphere in the country and growing violence, then that is their privilege," Bhatt told PTI.
"I think after they started expressing and others joined it, the government did send a representative, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who approached leaders of the industry... This is the result of the agitation, and whole 'award wapsi' process."
TOP STORIES
© 2024 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances