Bhandarkar to take part in colloquium on freedom of expression

LUCKNOW: Bollywood filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar will take part in a colloquium on freedom of expression in the state capital on Monday.

Known for making films on real-life subjects like ‘Chandni Bar’, ‘Corporate’, and ‘Fashion’, the director will also be available for a question and answer session on this debatable issue.

Bhandarkar was in news in October last when he censured action of filmmakers, who returned national awards and honours to protest against “rising intolerance” in the country, as “selective activism”, which, he claimed, won’t do any good.

He had said that national awards were recognition of filmmakers’ talent and given after assessing the potential of a film in raising awareness about issues concerning the society.

Organised by Public Administration department, University of Lucknow (LU) and Deen Dayal Upadhyay International Foundation, the event will be attended by Prasar Bharti chairman A Suryaprakash, Delhi Heritage Institute director Prof Makkhan Lal, LU vice-chancellor SB Nimse and Prof Sanjeev Sharma and Prof Kaushal Kishore of BHU.

Prof Manoj Dixit, head, Public administration department, LU said, “The event will be held at the Geological Survey of India auditorium in Aliganj (Opposite UPPSC Hall) from 3 pm onwards.”

Recent happenings in JNU have further ignited the debate over freedom of expression.

The participants of the colloquium will discuss several issues including growing intolerance, returning of national awards and limitations to freedom of speech and expressions as guaranteed to citizens by the Constitution.