Shatrughan Sinha has been travelling nonstop. But we were finally able corner the affable, forthright actor-politician for his comments on the controversial film The Kerala Story, which speaks about the alleged Islamic conversion of Hindu women in Kerala.
Never known to mince words Shatruji says, “Firstly, let me make it very clear that I haven’t seen The Kerala Story. I’ve been so busy travelling that I have not yet seen my own daughter (Sonakshi)’s series Dahaad. Having said this, I would also like to say that I’ve always stood up for the freedom of expression. I firmly believe that every individual has the right to say what she wants to… But not at the cost of a state’s law and order. If a film poses a threat to the peace of the State then there should be a curb on that freedom. There’s the right to expression. There’s also the right to administration.”
Never known to mince words Shatruji says, “Firstly, let me make it very clear that I haven’t seen The Kerala Story. I’ve been so busy travelling that I have not yet seen my own daughter (Sonakshi)’s series Dahaad. Having said this, I would also like to say that I’ve always stood up for the freedom of expression. I firmly believe that every individual has the right to say what she wants to… But not at the cost of a state’s law and order. If a film poses a threat to the peace of the State then there should be a curb on that freedom. There’s the right to expression. There’s also the right to administration.”
Is Shatrughan Sinha speaking about his party leader Mamata Banerjee’s ban on the film?
“Yes, Ms Mamata Banerjee is a very far-minded leader. If she feels this film (The Kerala Story) can create a law and order situation then she must have reason for it. She too has always stood up for the freedom of expression. If she feels the film is dangerous to a certain section of people, she has every right to do what she thinks right. As for me, I’ve always stood up for the right to freedom. Long before Vivek Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files, I spoke about the plight of Kashmiri Pandits. The Government then paid no attention. If Vivek’s film has opened up a debate on Kashmiri Pandits then I am happy. Film on sensitive issues must be made. But they should be made sensitively. Why this film about religious conversion during election time? The timing seems a little suspicious.”
