Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is extremely upset that Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray and his son Udhav Thackeray "misconstrued" his comments and are now protesting against the release of his film "My Name Is Khan".
"I have no ego or false sense of pride. My words have been benign and without ill will to any person (s) or my nation. I have the courage of conviction by my side. I explain because (it is) better to do that than create aggression and division in my country, " Shah Rukh posted on his Twitter page.
"There are good and bad people in all groups or places. For the acts of bad by some, we cannot generalise on grounds of physical boundaries. We have bad people in India, Pakistan and everywhere else. Nobody, including me, stands by anyone who is bad or resorts to inhuman acts.
"Why should we have this demarcation permeate in fields of art, sports, culture and otherwise normal things? Is that a wrong way to think?"
He said that art and culture should be kept away from politics.
"I think these conspiracy theories on art, sports etc being used to fund untoward activities is completely off the mark. Writing all this so that I know that I haven't really said anything bad in the last few days to anyone and it is clear now and not muddled.
"Am I getting paranoid of my own words and interviews. My English teacher told me not to write too much... wife says not to say too much.
"(I) feel awful that Balasahib and Udhav have misconstrued my words. The reactions of the Sena workers seem to make me believe that. Don't want mayhem, anger and violence cos of our beautiful film... which talks about repairing a bruised and divided world, " Shah Rukh posted on Twitter.
"I may not have the same ideologies as the Sena, but on the question of me being a patriot, I don't think there should be any confusion, " he added.
The actor, who has been under attack from the Shiv Sena for his comment on the inclusion of Pakistani players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 cricket tournament, is taking help of the social networking site to clarify his stance once and for all - so that his movie releases without any hindrance.
Since Tuesday, Shiv Sena supporters have been vandalising cinema halls and tearing up hoardings around Mumbai, forcing the authorities to arrest over 1, 600 of them and to deploy extra policemen around cinema halls, where the movie is releasing Friday.
"I hope my Tweets (using the word first time) clear this cloud of confusion. I hope peace prevails and the city is at rest. Nobody wants the Mumbaikars or their property hurt and destroyed. Least of all me.... This also is the last time I clarify or say anything on this topic. This is not a justification, it's just reiterating the facts, " he posted.
"Hope peace prevails. Hope misunderstandings get cleared. Hope nobody is hurt. Hope all leaders and activists have largesse of heart. Hope... " The 44-year-old is disturbed by talks that the issue is a mere publicity stunt.
"I want to enjoy my film everywhere. I want to enjoy it within myself and to sickos who think this is for publicity.. 2 words Shut up!" he said.
Shah Rukh wants to close the matter and says: "Anyone asks me about this issue anymore... they can read my Tweets. Now what happens with the release, the film, is the film's fate. If my partners lose, so be it; if I lose so be it. My stardom is transient. My integrity in non-negotiable... my being Indian unquestionable. "
"My Name Is Khan" is set in post 9/11 period and in it Shah Rukh plays an autistic Muslim Rizwan Khan.
"Absolutely last thought (In 3 parts of course): (1) appeal to all to understand that Mumbai is the gateway of India to the world.
2. Film industry is India's cultural ambassador all around the globe. All of us have the responsibility to protect the fair name of Mumbai...
3. Mumbai's legendary film industry and its spirit of pluralism and tolerance. I do this all around the world and can do so wherever needed."
Shah Rukh is currently in Berlin along with co-star Kajol and director Karan Johar to attend the screening of "My Name Is Khan" at the Berlin film festival.
"Thanks all around the world for listening to me. I hope it finds its way to goodness of heart in Mumbai. Now better go and do press stuff here (Berlin). Love u all...will meet again. Next time round will be happy I hope and will tell you about the Berlinale. Thanx once again for listening."
Shah Rukh enjoys a huge fan following in Germany and the tickets of his film "My Name Is Khan" were sold online in just five minutes online. According the festival director, the film is going to be bigger draw here than his last release "Om Shanti Om".
No comments:
Post a Comment